"I'm sorry I didn't listen to your instincts. But we have a pretty good idea of where to look and we have a plan," Amanda assured.
"Your plan had better lead to results. There is no room for margin of error. Mistakes are unacceptable."
"I'm really, really sorry."
"Stop wasting time talking to me and just find her! Please… find her." Rafael covered his face with his hands and let out a heavy sob. How was this happening?
Jules was dead. Alex was traumatized. Olivia was chained, bruised, and bleeding. Nick Hunter was arrested with such an extensive list of crimes he'd never see the light of day again.
Olivia and Alex were both brought to the hospital. Amanda called Rafael and he rushed in, but was made to wait because he was neither police nor family.
"What the hell? Just wave your badge and tell them I'm with you."
"Trust me, you do not want to see her like this," Fin told him.
Rafael stared. "I don't care how bad it is! It's Liv. I just want to see her."
"We need to let the doctors work," Amanda told him. "We can't even get statements yet, okay? We've got to wait, too."
"But you saw her."
Amanda squeezed his shoulder. "Right now, find comfort that she's alive."
Rafael sank into a chair, sobbing.
Hours later, a nurse grabbed Amanda. "I think this is something you should see." She handed over a report. "That's another crime, right?"
Amanda blinked, hardly believing what she was seeing. "That definitely tacks on a few years. Can I have a copy of this?" She bit her lip. "Or two?"
"Of course."
When Amanda had copies in hand, with a heavy heart she sank down next to Rafael. "Barba, you should see this."
Rafael could barely see the paper through his tears. When he could make out the words, he crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it across the room.
Amanda rubbed his back, not at all knowing how to soothe him. Only Liv could do that.
It was another day before Rafael was allowed to see her, with police escort. "Does she know?" he asked Amanda.
Amanda gave him a compassionate look. "Not yet. I figured she should hear it from you."
Rafael shook his head. "No. She can't ever know. It's too much." He looked at Amanda imploringly. "Can you keep it out of court?"
Amanda was stunned, but loyal. "If that's what you want."
Rafael went inside, tears instantly welling and spilling over. "Oh, Liv."
"Rafa…" Olivia reached for him.
Rafael clasped her hand and kissed each of her fingertips.
Olivia fought to keep her eyes open. "Docs said… I was stabbed ri-right through the belly button. That I can't ever get pregnant." Tears flooded her cheeks. "Sorry."
"Sorry? ¿Lo sientes? No tienes absolutamente nada de qué disculparte. Nada. Ese monstruo te hizo esto; ¡no has hecho nada malo!" She could definitely never know. She went through hell and that was the first thing she felt the need to tell him. He kissed the top of her head. "I will sit with you as long as they let me and let Lucy take care of Noah's usual routines while you heal. I'm the one that's sorry. I failed to protect you."
That was April. Olivia hadn't fully recovered until June, and then she had to go through the Nick Hunter trial. Rafael was there every day, holding his breath. There was no mention of the miscarriage. Just excruciatingly painful detail of every other atrocity inflicted upon her and Alex.
It brought Rafael immense pleasure when he heard Nick Hunter declared guilty for each and every charge of the litany against him.