The courtroom was alive with anticipation as Day 2 of Wilson v. Karev and Stevens began. The media frenzy surrounding the case had only grown, and the packed gallery included medical professionals, legal enthusiasts, and curious viewers who had been following every moment of the trial on international television.

The stakes were higher than ever as the plaintiff's attorney, Annalise Keating, called her next witness: Dr. Meredith Grey, a towering figure in the medical world and Jo Wilson's longtime mentor and friend.

Judge Martha Wallace tapped her gavel sharply. "Order in the court. Ms. Keating, you may proceed."

Annalise Keating stood, her sharp heels clicking against the courtroom floor. She adjusted her blazer and gestured toward the witness stand. "Dr. Grey, would you please state your name and occupation for the record?"

Meredith, poised and confident, leaned toward the microphone. "Meredith Grey. I'm the Chief of General Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital."

Keating paced slowly, her voice steady. "Dr. Grey, how long have you known the plaintiff, Dr. Jo Wilson?"

Meredith nodded slightly, her expression softening. "I've known Jo for nearly a decade. I've watched her grow from a brilliant resident into one of the finest surgeons at Grey Sloan."

Keating approached Meredith, her tone deliberate. "And in that time, would you say you've come to know her personally as well as professionally?"

Meredith glanced at Jo, who sat at the plaintiff's table, visibly moved by her mentor's presence. "Yes. Jo is not just my colleague; she's my friend. I've been there for some of her most difficult moments, including this one."

Keating nodded and shifted gears. "Dr. Grey, let's talk about Alex Karev. How would you describe his relationship with Jo during their marriage?"

Meredith hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "At first, it seemed strong. They were supportive of each other. But over time, Alex started to pull away."

Keating stopped pacing and turned to Meredith. "Did you ever witness any behavior from Alex that suggested he might leave Jo?"

Meredith sighed. "Alex was always a little unpredictable. He had a history of running when things got hard, but I never thought he'd leave Jo the way he did."

Connor Walsh rose abruptly, his voice cutting through the courtroom. "Objection, Your Honor. Speculation."

Judge Wallace nodded. "Sustained. Dr. Grey, please stick to what you observed directly."

Annalise smirked slightly. "Of course, Your Honor. Let me rephrase." She turned back to Meredith. "Dr. Grey, in your observations, how did Jo respond to Alex's departure?"

Meredith's face hardened. "She was devastated. Completely blindsided. Alex didn't just leave—he left her with questions, with shared responsibilities, and with no closure. She had to rebuild her life from scratch while dealing with the fallout at work."

Keating's voice grew sharper. "And how did this affect her professionally?"

Meredith's tone was firm. "Jo is an incredible surgeon, but Alex's abandonment shook her confidence. She took some time off to process what happened, which affected her career trajectory."

Keating nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Dr. Grey. No further questions."

Connor Walsh stood, his usual smirk in place as he approached the stand. "Dr. Grey, you've testified about the professional and personal impacts on Dr. Wilson. But you also know Alex Karev well, don't you?"

Meredith's eyes narrowed. "I do."

Connor's tone was light, almost conversational. "Would you say Alex is a good father?"

Meredith hesitated, sensing the trap. "I suppose he's trying to be."

Connor seized the moment. "Trying to be? Isn't it true that Alex left to be with his children, children he didn't know existed until recently? Isn't it possible that his decision was motivated by a desire to do the right thing?"

Meredith's jaw tightened. "Alex may have had good intentions, but the way he went about it was wrong. He hurt Jo in the process."

Connor stepped closer, his voice softening. "Dr. Grey, haven't you made difficult decisions in your own life that hurt people? Isn't it true that sometimes doing the right thing doesn't look perfect?"

Meredith didn't flinch. "I have made tough decisions, but I've always faced the consequences. Alex ran away."

Connor nodded as if conceding a point. "Interesting. No further questions, Your Honor."

Redirect Examination

Annalise was back on her feet immediately. "Dr. Grey, let's address that last point. You've made difficult decisions in your life, but you just said you faced the consequences. Did Alex Karev face the consequences of his actions?"

Meredith's gaze was steady. "No. He left Jo to pick up the pieces."

Annalise smiled faintly. "Thank you, Dr. Grey. That will be all."

As Meredith stepped down, the courtroom buzzed with murmurs. The defense team looked tense, while Jo gave Meredith a grateful nod. The jury remained impassive, but the tension in the room was palpable.

The Public Reaction

Outside the courthouse, reporters swarmed, broadcasting every detail of Meredith's testimony. Social media erupted with hashtags like #TeamJo and #KarevGate, with fans of the trial dissecting every word.

Inside the courthouse, the case was far from over, but Meredith's testimony had left an indelible mark. Day 2 had ended, but the storm was only beginning to brew.