Chapter 9
Zane’s POV
The lights of my study flickered around me as I stood frozen in place. It felt as though the stone-cold wall pressed against my back, but nothing made me shiver more than Zara’s words.
A child.
Those two syllables hovered in my head like the aftershock of a bomb all through the ride from the hotel to my mansion. My heart beat faster as I tried to breathe and make sense of Zara’s words. She was… pregnant? And I never knew?
The image of her tear-lined face, the fury in her eyes, and the grief in her voice—it was all too real. Too raw to be a sham. She couldn’t have been lying about it.
The truth hit deep into me like poison. I didn’t know what hit me harder. The unveiling of her identity? The news of a child? The man who was all over her? Or her final words to me as she walked away.
The scene where I pushed her out of my house onto the pavement three years ago began to flash through my mind. Her voice calling out to me in the dark, begging me to take her back, echoed in my ears. It was not something I could stop thinking about. At this point, it became clear I had fucked up. Foolish, blind, and greedy, I had let her slip from my hands. I let go of my pregnant, heiress wife for someone less.
I had been keen on following the stock updates of Elora’s family’s company. They have been keeping me on my toes, with anxiety and insomnia every night. What do I do when Elora loses her heritage? How could she be of any use to me?. I paced back and forth in my study, thinking of how I could possibly save myself.
Then I stopped. A familiar idea hit me. To marry the heiress!. This time, an established heiress, a successful one, one who could secure my wealth forever. I must get Zara back!. That’s the only way.
But if Zara is an heiress, the man beside her wouldn’t just be some fiancé. He must also want her for her legacy. I stared into space, jaw clenched. I quickly reached out for my phone to contact Kelvin. He was good at digging up information on shady people like this one. He had successfully executed all my dirty jobs in the past. This new opponent would not be any different.
“Kelvin. Find out everything you can on Zara’s supposed fiancé. I want to have access to his background, car GPS history, company, if any, investor files, anything related to this man, including how he came to be engaged to Zara. I want everything by the end of the week. You know I don’t ask twice.” I said, my tone threatening as I hung up the call.
I fell into my chair and brought out my pack of cigar to ease myself with some smoke time. Before I could enjoy my moment, the door opened widely.
Elora.
Her cheeks flushed, her eyes blazing with rage. Here we go again.
She walked in quickly, flipped her blonde hair to the back, and folded her arms. “Who was that back there, and what is this about finding out who Zara’s fiancé is? She demanded, her voice like shattering glass
“You dare listen in on my conversation?”. I stopped smoking my cigar midway.
She scoffed. “I’m your wife, aren’t I?”
I didn’t respond. I took a long drag from my cigar, taking in the bitterness before exhaling.
“Is what Zara said true?” Her voice became shaky.
“ Are you trying to leave me and get back with her?”
She hissed, stepping closer. “Is that it?”
“Elora—” I tried to let out words to get her to leave me the hell alone.
“ No! Don’t Elora me,” her voice cracked like a whip.
“You think I didn’t notice the way you looked at her?. That was how you looked at me before asking me out years ago! You looked at her like she was your fucking world. Like I didn’t exist.” She thundered at me.
I took a little smoke and rubbed my temples, exhausted from all the noise. “Keep your voice down. Our son is probably asleep”.
She turned away, hands trembling, but her voice was still laced with venom. “You said you were done with her. You said she was your past, and I was your present and future. But the moment she shows up dripping in silver and diamonds, you’re suddenly tensed.”
I looked at her in a bid to console her, but this Elora in front of me was not the seductive, once exciting lady I left Zara for. She looked small, powerless, angry, and stinkingly desperate. Her presence, once intoxicating, now clung to me like a burden. I immediately lost the flair to console her and continued smoking.
“Wow,” she said with a shaky voice.
I stared at her, unmoved.
“So you’re just going to sit there and smoke, ignoring everything I just said?”
Silence. Her face dimmed at that.
Then her voice reduced to a whisper.
“Do you regret leaving her for me?”
I got up in a frenzy, in a bid to go smoke elsewhere. “I don’t have time for this. I’m not having this conversation with you.”
“Go watch over our son,” I dismissed her.
She nodded her head like someone about to plan a coup, then walked out, slamming the door behind her.
I sat back down and continued pleasuring myself with my cigar. Pictures of Zara during the event flooded my mind. It explained so much. The dignity with which she used to carry herself. The refusal to beg anyone for anything. The pride. She never wanted money, just love and care.
But I had broken her heart. Now she’s back—glowing, sexy, seductive. She seemed much hotter than ever. I began to lick my lips, and my hands slipped beneath my trousers before I realized it. I began stroking my dick to jerk off at the thought of her.
I didn’t know what I was going to do yet, but one thing was sure. I wanted her back so bad.
Even if it meant doing the unspeakable to get her.
Chapter 10
Zara’s POV
The enclosed elevator hummed quietly as it climbed floor after floor, each sound echoing loudly in my chest.
I took a steadying breath.
Smith Holdings—The company that bore my name. The legacy my grandparents built and was inherited by my father. The one that had once written me off as a ghost of the past. Today, that changed. I returned not as a forgotten daughter but as the rightful heiress.
My tailored grey pantsuit clung to me like armor, sleek and commanding. My hair was packed into a bun, exposing the well-laid edges around my scalp and the diamond earrings that once belonged to my mother. I wasn’t here to beg. I was here to reclaim.
Leo walked beside me in silence, dressed in a black suit that whispered dominance and class. His hands brushed against mine as the elevator climbed, but I ignored the undeniable pull. There is still some mystery behind him. Something unsettling. Something that needed to be uncovered.
He had accompanied me to be officially introduced as my fiancé to my parents and anyone who cared to listen.
My assistant, positioned at our backs, kept looking at me and back at him as though she could feel the tension between us. Almost like she could sense it too. But I had to remind myself that this was a story for the media, and acceptance by the company.
The elevator slid open with a hushed chime.
The workers froze at the sight of us, each looking down with murmurs on their lips as we stepped out of the elevator. Whispers surged through the marble floor corridor like a wave of electricity.
Leo took my hand in his in a very soft and comforting manner. It took everything in me to remind myself that this was an act, and I shouldn’t let the softness and calmness get to me. “It’s pure business”, he had said.
“Ms Smith,” the receptionist stammered. “W-we weren’t expecting—”
“You are now”, Mia, my assistant, replied immediately and assertively.
I let out a soft smile at her efficiency as we walked towards my father’s office.
I couldn’t help but notice the photographs on the wall—a reminder of men who had sat at the leadership of this empire. My grandfather, stoic in black and white. My father, proud and heroic. And to my surprise, my step-sister, Madilyn Smith. Framed in gold. Her portrait shinier and newer. They had included her picture as the next in line to head the company. They had crowned her in my absence.
How must she feel on my return? I didn’t intend to cause her any problems, but this was my legacy as the first child of my parents. And I wasn’t that weak Zara anymore. I would take what’s mine unapologetically.
Besides, my mother had supported my father in building this company while she was alive. There were rumours that my father had been keeping a mistress while my mum was alive and had gotten her pregnant. My father denied it, but it turned out to be the truth after she died. Evelyn, Madilyn’s mum, was the mistress. I let it go to maintain the peace and tranquility my mother stood for. But that was the height of things I would take. I was not letting them take away my legacy.
My father’s office loomed ahead—massive, glass-paneled, and surrounded by healthy, beautiful plants. Behind the office, I could already hear the low murmuring voices.
Mia’s knock on the door was followed by a response. “Come in”, a male voice that sounded like my father said.
There he was, my father, Joseph Smith. I hadn’t seen him since I came back from New York. He was dressed in a well-ironed grey suit with a shiny brooch to complement it. He gave me a long stare, his brown eyes scanning my entire body from head to toe, probably trying to take in the new look of his prodigal daughter. He finally let out a soft smile that calmed my nerves.
He rose slowly from behind his Mahogany desk. “Come here,” he gestured to me with his arms open wide.
I, in turn, leaned in for a hug. That feeling. It’s been so long since I’ve been hugged so passionately.
He pulled back, still studying me. “How have you been, Zara?” His voice was laced with sheer curiosity.
“I know you have a lot of questions, Dad.”
“We would choose another day to talk about it. But we can say I’m fine. For now,” I let out a chuckle.
He gave an understanding nod and turned to Leo, and back at me. “Would you choose a special day to introduce him to me too? I already saw the news headlines. I can’t believe the world got to know before me.” He said, looking disappointed.
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
“I intended to tell you first, but everything happened so fast. So—”
He cut me off before I could finish apologizing. “Don’t bother Zara. What matters is you’re back now, and it is just what your mother would have wanted. I hold nothing against you.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“So this is Leo Armstrong.”
I hesitated for a bit because lying to my father, who had been nothing but sweet to me, proved a bit difficult. “Well…he is my fiancé”, I finally let out the big lie with a heavy sigh following it.
“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” Leo said, facing my father, his voice low and respectful.
“It’s good to see you too, young man. So, when are you getting married? I assume you’ve picked a date?”
I froze. A thousand thoughts ran through my head.
I glanced sharply at Leo, who was already searching my face for answers, eyes narrowing slightly at me, waiting for a cue.
Looking back at my dad and letting out a big smile to seal the awkwardness in the room, “We are… still newly engaged, Dad. We would talk about our wedding preparations later. Right, Leo?” I signaled hard to him to play along.
“Oh yes, we would. I can’t wait to marry your daughter.”
What?
I looked sharply at Leo, and I could tell he regretted his last sentence. He can’t wait to marry me?
I unconsciously let out a laugh. He nervously smiled in return.
My dad clapped his hands together. “That’s great. Come, let me introduce you to the Board.”
The board. I hadn’t seen most of them since my mum used to take me around the company as a 10-year-old. Now, I would stand in before them as a woman ready to live up to her legacy. I couldn’t say I wasn’t a bit nervous.
As we walked towards the boardroom, every step became heavier. Mia trailed behind silently while Leo stayed close. We reached the tall wooden doors of the boardroom, and my father pushed them open.
Several suited figures sat in the front row. Their eyes widened upon our entrance.
Then I saw them. Madilyn and Evelyn. They sat across the long table, hair sleek, and lips curved into a forced smile.
As I opened my mouth to speak, my father dropped a bomb. “Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to reintroduce my firstborn daughter…and the next CEO of Smith Holdings.”
Gasps filled the room as heads turned, one to another.
Madilyn’s smile went dim.
Evelyn's brows furrowed, eyes turning red.
And just like that, war seemed to be brewing.
Chapter 11
Zara’s POV
The boardroom fell silent after my father dropped the bomb so much so that the only thing sounding was the ticking of the clock and the swaying of the crystal chandeliers above us.
“She would lead us?”
“Where did she even come from?”
“What does she know?”
I could read these questions all over the faces of the Board members as they turned their heads uncomfortably. Backs stiffened, expressions shifted and distorted.
Their scrutinizing gaze could almost make one wish the ground would open up to receive them, but I stood tall.
Madilyn, still frozen in her seat, parted her lips as though she were disappointed in my father.
Evelyn, on the other hand, had a face laced with fury as though she could pounce on me at any point. She hasn’t always liked me from the start. I was a reminder of my mother, a woman she could never be. Ever since she became my stepmother, I had always seen that subtle hatred she had for me, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. I didn’t expect her to support me now. Especially when her daughter’s position is at stake.
I took a deep breath and regained my composure. Then I stepped forward, turning my attention to the Board—men and women in suits that spoke power. The look on their faces wasn’t encouraging, but I wasn’t here to beg but to lead.
“Allow me to reintroduce myself, honorable members of the Board”. I began, letting my voice fill the room.
“I am Zara Smith, daughter of Sarah and Joseph Smith. I was gone, but now I am back to take my place as the heiress of Smith Holdings. I may have been gone for a long time, but rest assured, I have not been lazying around.” Some members began moving uncomfortably in their seats as though the chair had begun to bite them.
“Do you even know how to run a business?” One of them finally broke the silence. Gideon Watson, I recognized him—his posture was rigid, his nose perpetually pointed like he could sniff a lie. He was one of those who made sure my father married another woman immediately after my mum’s death to keep the glorious image of the company, despite how early it was for me and my father. He had been a master strategist in manipulation behind everyone’s backs.
“Of course, I didn’t come empty-handed,” I answered smoothly.
“I have a line of evidence to prove that I didn’t spend the last few years frolicking around. I built my fashion empire after working as a model. I am a successful investor with a trail of booming startups to support that claim. And I definitely didn’t come here because I need the profits that come with the position, but rather, I came to help Smith Holdings grow better and bigger”.
At this point, a few heads started nodding in my favour, and eyebrows rose as Mia handed copies of my portfolio to each member.
But even if I couldn’t feel anything in that room, I could surely feel Madilyn's eyes rolling at me.
“Zara…Zara…Zara.” Madilyn finally broke her silence.
“ Look around you.” She gestured. Do you see any clothes being advertised? Or do you see cameras, makeup, and models?”
“What makes you think your expertise or whatever in modeling and fashion is what we need here at Smith Holdings? How do they even correlate? Did 6 years away from home make you forget we are an advertising and marketing company?”
A few members of the Board also nod their heads in her favour.
I let out a cold smile. Predictable as expected. She was still the same shallow-minded step-sister I left years ago.
“I’m not surprised you’re still small-minded, Madilyn”.
“Is it not obvious it’s my skills in Sales, Marketing, and Advertising that aided in building the multibillion-dollar business I have now?”. “I’ve built my brand from scratch using these skills that continuously sold out or collections in short moments. My work wasn’t just fashion. It was data collection, strategy, and marketing.
She parted her lips to let out a comeback, but nothing came out. She probably kept it shut after rethinking my point. She then folded her arms in defeat with a deep frown on her face.
I clapped my hands together, “Okay, having established that, let’s get to business”. I pulled out a chair beside the CEO, my father and sat down.
“I did my research before coming here and found out the company might be winding up soon”.
There were continuous gasps here and there, some subtle, some startled, but they weren’t surprising.
“Excuse me Zara, you can’t just waltz in here and belittle us or make us feel we haven’t been doing our job”. Gideon countered.
“I’ll explain”. I answered.
I opened a folder Mia had dug up for me and stopped on the page I needed. “Three quarters in a row, there has been a decline in the profit margin, and this has been blamed on the tech division for not setting the target right, but guess what? Our offers need to be blamed.”
Gideon scoffed. “What offers?”
“Exactly!. We have nothing. No offers. No promotional packages. No irresistible combos. How do we expect more clients to come to us for their various campaigns if we don’t shove enticing offers in their face?” They began to look like students taking in what their teacher was teaching them, and I liked that.
I continued. “I mean, how do we convince our clients that we can run their ad campaigns and create juicy offers for their customers if we haven’t been showing them our own offers? How would they trust us?”
The room was still. No interruption.
“Smith Holding has only been depending on old and traditional clients that might be going out of business soon. This is why I made my earlier claim” They then nodded one after the other in agreement.
“If we still intend to preserve the name of Smith Holdings as the number one advertising and marketing agency, then we have to be at the top of our game,” I said with a concluding tone.
To my surprise, applause started rising slowly from the far end and then loudly when it reached the front where I sat. I was pleased to see the smile and comfort I brought to their faces.
The whole time, Leo had been looking deeply at me as though he was taken aback by my intelligence. I mean, who wouldn’t be?
Evelyn’s face looked pale. Madilyn watched me with tightened fists and lips enclosed into a thin line. But my father looked at me with pride.
The board meeting came to an end, and we all walked out one by one. I didn’t make it five steps further before I was pulled back in by my step-mother.
“So”, Madilyn started.
“You just walk back in, ridicule us, and think you’ve earned a crown?”
Evelyn added, “And that stunt you pulled with your father. Next CEO?” She let out a scornful laugh. I ignored her.
I turned to Madilyn. “ Earned a crown? No dear, I inherited it and I’d also like to say I deserve it.”
Marilyn stepped towards me, close enough for our faces to be a few inches apart. “Do you think the Board or our father will be there for you when things get stormy? You don’t know what you have walked into.”
“I’ve walked through worse,” I replied softly.
She scoffed. “Okay. Let’s see how that works out for you”.
They both stared down at me and walked out of the boardroom with their heels echoing loudly as they took their steps.
Leo came in. “Well… that was a good performance.”
I gave him a strong glance. “Performance?. Please, I’m naturally smart. I didn’t need to pretend to know the business.”
He let out a smirk while raising his hands in surrender. “I was just kidding, princess”.
“So shall we?” He gestured towards the door and took my hand in his.
As we stepped out of the room, hand in hand, we paused at the sight of a strange female figure in front of us. Leo quickly removed my hands as though he had been caught cheating.
What the hell? Why did he drop the act? Who is she?
Chapter 12
LEO’s POV
I stiffened.
I let go of Zara’s hands before I even realized it. A memory, instinct, something I hadn’t felt in years surged through me
I don’t know why I was still taken aback by the sight of Selene. Tall and pretty with striking features.
She was my crush when I was a teenager, and like many other feelings and experiences from my childhood, the thought of her still lingered. No. It wasn’t love. I didn’t know what to call it. But it’s probably because it was one of those things that made me feel like a child again. After all, those were my favorite times. That was when I had something close to a family. A father and a mother, living together happily. A mother who sang me to bed and a father who played sports with me. That was now a distant memory.
As a result, I wasn’t exactly the same when I came across anything or anyone from my childhood. If I were a therapist, I’d call this a psychological issue.
“Leo!” Selene exclaimed in excitement as she hugged me tightly. I froze.
All the while, Zara had been motionless, looking shocked and betrayed—the last thing she probably wanted to experience. Zara let out a small cough as we hugged, which was my cue to let go of Selene.
“Hey.. Selene,” I smiled as I tried to find the words to say to her.
“It’s been so long, how have you been? I haven’t seen you since—”
I quickly cut in to avoid Zara asking questions I did not intend to answer.
“How have you been too Selene? I missed you!” I had to say something sweet to shut her up.
“I have been good. I own an automobile company, you know. I came here to see my campaign manager.” She said with a warm smile.
“Oh, that’s great! Really great,” I continued with an awkward laugh. I could feel the burning gaze Zara gave me by my side, but I paid her no attention.
She finally stepped back. “Okay, Leo. I’d see you around?”
“Yeah sure!” She turned to leave, waving me goodbye.
I waved back and kept my gaze on her till she entered the elevator beside the boardroom.
Then I turned to Zara, who was looking so confused. Before I could even let out a word.
“Who is she?” She demanded with furrowed brows.
“Or wait, did you approach me when you were in a relationship all along? The last thing I need is to be with someone who’s not different from my ex-husband.”
It stung to be compared with Zane Wesley but I was good with understanding emotions so I let it go.
“Yo, chill. She’s just someone from my past. Nothing to worry about,” I tried to dismiss the conversation.
“Oh, but she was important enough for you to throw away my hands?” She countered.
“What? Am I supposed to hold you all the time?” I asked, trying to change the topic, because I knew talking about Selene would lead to talking about my painful past.
Her face suddenly became pale. I didn’t expect those words to hit her that hard. But I saw it in the way her shoulders sank. We weren’t in a real relationship after all. Was she expecting me to do real boyfriend stuff?
“Okay, I’m sorry for butting into your personal life.” She put her hands up in surrender as though she had crossed a line she regretted crossing.
“But just so you know, you should not be giving people anything to be suspicious about if we are going to keep this alliance going. At least till we achieve our goals, try not to stare long at other women.”
She fell silent like she wished she hadn’t let out that line.
“I..mean, you can stare at them, but don’t do it where everyone can see you” She stammered as she tried to redeem herself. Her brilliant attempt at packing shattered glass.
My face betrayed me by letting out a smirk.
“You think this is funny?”
“This might be funny to you, Leo, but this is my life, and what we have set out to do means the world to me. I can’t afford any mess-ups.” Her eyes became teary as she let out those words.
“Hey, hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. Chill,” I tried to undo what I didn’t even do. I understood this was an emotional commitment for her, knowing all she had been through. But the last thing I needed was to be misunderstood or misjudged as someone I was not. That, I wouldn’t take from anyone.
She turned her back swiftly and briskly headed to the elevator, her heels striking the marble floor with every step. “Hey,” I called out.
“We still have to leave together, don’t we? You know, engaged?”
Then she held the elevator door for me, her face was expressionless when I got in.
Was she really upset by what I said, or was there something else that bothered her?
We drove off from the company in silence as she constantly dried her face with a towel. Was she crying? I glanced at her, but she avoided my gaze.
She signaled to me to drop her off at a junction near a secluded area. I pulled over, and she got off immediately, her eyes avoiding mine. No parting reaction. No remark. Just silence that lingered till the door shut behind her.
I pretended to drive off, but I couldn’t help but follow her in silence. She kept walking and walking till she entered a cemetery with a faded iron gate.
A cemetery? Who did she lose?
Chapter 13
I could shit myself right now.
It's the day of Brinda's trial and here we are, a few minutes early to court. My hair was straight, light makeup, and I wore high-waisted army green dress pants, a matching color blazer and a simple black shirt. I slipped on black heels and grabbed my bag, checking the time on my watch as I walked downstairs.
The dinner went extremely well. After Alessandro and I... connected, I served everyone desert, which was a simple crepe cake. Everyone enjoyed it and as they were leaving, Alessandro placed another kiss to my cheek and thanked me for the night, subtly thanking me for our time in the bathroom.
I was pleased to say the least. But I still had this thought in the back of my head telling me that what I did was wrong, and that Oliver deserves better than me. Any other day I would be pondering in my feelings right about now but today isn't any other day, it's Brinda's trial day and any thoughts of my personal life would be shoved down the toilet and flushed.
Bella was here, but not with us, since after opening statements, I'd need to present my witness and she was my only witness. "It'll be fine. He won't even speak; it'll be like he's not there." I set a hand on her shaking thigh.
"No, you don't understand. I'll feel him. Even if he is far away, I'll hear his breathing a- and-" She choked, tears spilling down her cheeks.
I hugged her. I didn't know what else to do but hug her and wipe her tears. "Don't let him have this power or hold on you Brinda. When we get in there, don't let him see weak, even when we leave show him that your stronger." She nodded, wiping away at the rest of her tears. "Deep breaths. Come on." I took a few breaths in and out with her until her leg stopped shaking and she seemed calmer.
"Thank you-."
"The judge is ready." I nodded at the officer and waited until Brinda felt good and ready to enter the room. "Head held high." She nodded, breathed deeply and fixed her stance. We walked inside, side by side, and not once did she even glance his way even as he was staring holes into her head.
After the judge and everyone were seated, it was time for the opening statements in which the defense would go first. Nate Thomas stood, tall, dark brown hair that was slicked back and he wore a black suit and blue tie.
2
"As the judge just instructed you the defense doesn't have to stand here give an opening statement, the burdens not on the defense. We can sit back and wait and see what the evidence is, and the later team can come and try and poke holes at it, bring up issues. But we're not doing that, we're going to stand here today and tell you, at least based on revealed evidence, what this case is about. We often times hear people talk about no means no of course no means no, but the question really becomes, and you will see through the course of this case and in this case, the state of Atlanta versus Zac Dubois, did anybody ever really so no."
This fucking asshole.
"You and your husband get into a heated argument and you claim to be sexually assaulted," He looked over at us with a sly smirk almost unnoticeable, "There are studies on this, and they have shown this occurs. The plaintiff has said there was alcohol involved and cannot remember nights accurately but that does not suggest there was no consent." He looked away. "Some of you may not be comfortable with your verdict in this case. But nonetheless upon the close evidence in this case in the state of Atlanta we will especially submit to you, Mr. Zac Ryan Dubois the verdict is not guilty. Thank you."
I fixed my blazer as I stood up, he was whispering something in Zac's ear and from the small smile on his face they probably thought they had a shot.
"Brinda Dubois. Fighting with her husband in the late-night hours, attacked, beaten, and horribly raped. The state will prove to you throughout the course of this trial, all at the hands of one man," I pointed towards Zac, "the defendant, Zac Dubois. The defendant is charged with multiple accounts of intercourse without consent, assault, and assault with a weapon. For the three crimes he perpetrated on Brinda Dubois, his wife, over three months of their marriage he has since gotten no punishment. We'll see a lot of photographs, videos, and physical exhibits but most importantly you will see the defendant, Zac Dubois's telephone. You will hear and you will see the contents of that telephone."
I looked over at Nate with the same sly smirk he had given me before turning away. "You will see his face through all of this evidence and the state will prove to you, beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant, Zac Dubois, is guilty as charged of all the crimes."
"I'd like to call our first witness to the stand." I started, going behind the table. "Bella Dubois." Nate's head snapped in my direction, not knowing that I'd be using Bella as my first piece of evidence.
What a fool.
Bella walked in, head held high and not glancing in her father's direction and was seated on the stand. The officer held a bible out and she placed a hand out and the other up. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."
"I do." He walked away and she sat down.
"When was the first time you saw your father, Zac Dubois, hit your mother, Brinda Dubois?" I asked, leaning against the table with my arms crossed.
"When I was thirteen. We'd gotten back from a dinner and he claimed that she was looking at other men. When she denied he hit her over and over again."
"Had there been any alcohol beverages at this event? Or was your father sober as he abused your mother."
"Yes. There had been but I hadn't seen him drink anything."
"So you'd say your father was sober when abusing your mother?"
"Yes."
"Your witness." I said towards Nate as I sat back down.
He stood and walked in front of Bella. "You have a good relationship with your father, the defendant, no?"
"Up until last night he's treated me like a princess." She sat more upright in her seat.
He nodded. "But you have a better relationship with your mother, the plaintiff."
"Anyone in this situation would."
"Yes or no, Ms. Dubois."
"Yes. I do."
"So would you lie under oath for her?"
"Objection! He's putting words in my witnesses mouth!" Nate looked at the judge, silently asking if he could continue.
"Overruled. Answer the question Ms. Dubois."
"No. I wouldn't lie for her under oath."
"But you'd lie for her if you weren't."
"I- no." She looked over at us.
"Don't look at them look at me." She listened. "Where did your father hit your mother? Last night specifically."
"He slapped her first. Then grabbed her by the arm and threw her onto the table, making the vase fall and break. That's when he started to uh-... to take her clothing off." Brinda closed her eyes and put her head down.
"Did you see this happening, or did you hear it?"
"See. I heard the vase fall and that's when I walked out, and he had her under him."
"So you didn't actually see the abuse? You just heard the vase fall and assume that she was hit by my client."
"I mean, yes-"
"No further questions, your honor."
I'm going to kill that bastard and get away with it. He made it seem like she lied about the whole fucking scene. "Have you been hit or has anyone tried to harm you in any way in the past week?"
"My father. I tried to stop him, but he grabbed me and threw me against the wall. He was about to go back to my mom, but it was like something clicked in him and he came at me."
"What was he doing?"
She took a deep breath and said, "He was trying to take my clothes off. It was like he wasn't himself, something in his eyes had darkened. My mom jumped on his back and got him off of me, but she had gotten hurt more in the process. That's when she had hit him with a lamp and knocked him out."
I could see in the corner of my eye, the judge had pity in his eyes but not the kind of pity where he believed her but the kind where he didn't, and he was sorry about it. "No further questions. Your witness."
He sighed defeatedly and said, "No questions."
"If that is the case, this court is adjourned." He hit the gravel and stood, beginning to walk out.
"All rise." Everyone started leaving the courtroom and I had a sense that we had the upper hand in this case already.
"Bella did great. I'll be by yours tomorrow to discuss the video evidence we'll use next."
"Thank you. And I'm sorry about the press you're going to get because of this case."
"I assure it's fine-" The sound of camera's clicking and people yelling questions surrounded us. Literally. They were huddled up around us as we walked towards the elevator, but her bodyguards blocked them from getting a clear view.
We rushed inside of the elevator, and I let out a big breath and leaned back on the wall. "Nate is going to do everything he can to win. Mainly because if he loses to a woman, it'll ruin his reputation and also because your husband is a well-known man and he'll get a lot of publicity if he wins. If there is something you haven't told me, even the smallest things, then I need you to tell me now."
She stood quiet for a moment, deep in thought, before saying she didn't have anything. I nodded and waited until we reached the first floor. That wave of press wasn't anything compared to this one.
"My client has no comment on the matter. But I ask that you respect her privacy and do not bash her on social media." I gave Bella a hug and told her she did well before closing the car door behind her.
They were too distracted with trying to follow them to follow me, so I ushered into my car and quickly drove off. Fucking Nate is the worst lawyer to go up against. He's known for how he wins cases, which isn't always legal, but no one likes to talk about it. I had to win, not only for Brinda and Bella but for myself as well. If, no when I won, I'd feel like I was able to do something the world would be proud of.
I had gotten a message and it was, of course, from Alessandro.
Alessandro :)
You looked so hot in court. I couldn't come in person, but I saw photos.
Me
Awe, thanks. And it's fine I didn't expect to see you there anyway.
Alessandro
I'll be there next time to see you knock Nate Thomas off his ass.
Me
You're going to make me crash.
I set my phone down with a smile and went back to paying attention on the road. A call came in from my radio, interrupting my music, but I answered seeing as it was Alessandro, and he probably wouldn't stop calling until I did. "I would've texted you once I was home."
"I couldn't wait to speak to you any longer. Now back to your case, what are the possibilities of you winning?"
"I have no clue. It's only the first day and the way the judge was looking gave me a few doubts."
"You shouldn't doubt yourself. If you saw what everyone else sees in court then anyone would say that you have a real shot at winning."
I blushed, "Thank you. It means a lot to me that your supporting me."
"Someone has to. I know your husband doesn't."
Moment ruined. "Ale-"
"Sorry." He interrupted. "I won't bash your partner anymore."
"Good. How are you?"
"I'm great. The company is doing fantastic and that means I have money coming in so that's amazing."
"Your rich enough as is."
He chuckled and said, "That's why I donate. I have all this
money sitting around so why not help those in need."
"That's actually-" I honked my horn at someone suddenly stopping, causing me to almost crash into them. They had the audacity to pull the finger at me. "Aprende a conducir, puta!"
"That sounded hotter than I'm sure you intended it to be."
"Shut up. Anyway, as I was saying, that's really kind of you to be donating. Most people are selfish."
He chuckled, "Very weird mood swing. But my mother raised me so I couldn't be selfish if I tried. Am I going to see you tonight?"
"Why would you see me tonight?"
"Because of the party. We're celebrating the new partnership in public now."
"I didn't know there was a party. Was Oliver informed about this?"
"Of course he was."
"He usually tells me these things."
"Maybe he didn't tell you because he was going with that girl from the gala."
"Katie? No, they haven't talked since high school. Well, technically the gala."
"People would assume we haven't spoken since the gala and here we are, on the phone, talking."
I rolled my eyes, "I don't believe that."
"Alright, alright I won't say anything more."
"Someone is here to speak with you." Someone said as they entered his office.
"Who?"
"May Shaw. Say's it's about personal matters."
He sighed annoyingly and told him to bring her in, "I have to go, Butterfly."
"Oh, okay. See you soon."
"See you soon." Any other time he'd be urging me to stay on the call with him when he was meeting someone and now that it was a woman it was different. I know I didn't have a right to be jealous, we aren't in a relationship, and I am married, but I was.
I didn't stop thinking about this May Shaw even after I was home. Just to put my mind at ease, or that's what I told myself, I grabbed my computer and searched her. She was beautiful; slim, short, blond hair, dark green eyes, and nice lips. I see why Alessandro would be attracted to her.
I saw a few photos of them together at events, no more than three thank goodness. I closed my computer and set it aside, I was trying to hold back from stalking this woman. After showering, I changed into shorts and a tee before crawling into bed.
Today has been exhausting.
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Table of Contents
×1
Chapter 1
2_3
Chapter 2–3
4_8
Chapter 4_8
9_13
Chapter 9_13
14_18
Chapter 14_18
19_23
Chapter 19_23
24_28
Chapter 24_28
29_33
Chapter 29_33
34_38
Chapter 34_38
39_43
Chapter 39_43
44_48
Chapter 44_48
49_53
Chapter 49_53
54_58
Chapter 54_58
59_63
Chapter 59_63
64_68
Chapter 64_68
69_73
Chapter 69_73
74_78
Chapter 74_78
79_83
Chapter 79_83
84_88
Chapter 84_88
89_93
Chapter 89_93
94_98
Chapter 94_98
99_103
Chapter 99_103
104_108
Chapter 104_108
109_113
Chapter 109_113
114_118
Chapter 114_118
119_122
Chapter 119_122