Jail
1069 Words
Elena's POV
“You're so lucky,” one of the police officers said as soon as we drove off in their van. “Xavier Zane has hired a lawyer to defend you in court. In most cases, people aren't even allowed to appear before a judge without proper representation.”
“Legal procedures have to be followed,” I murmured. “He won't risk the reputation of his empire by sending me to prison without a court sentence.”
“You've got balls,” the driver said. “Real balls. If I were you, I'd be crying my eyes out because life just happened to me.”
I heaved a deep sigh and kept my gaze lowered, cracking my knuckles as my mind went blank.
How did I get to this position?
How did I fail to notice his attention drifting away from me?
How did I not realize it had drifted to someone else?
He claimed I poisoned Phoebe, but she somehow escaped the attack.
I'd never attempted to poison anyone, but of course his words always won.
He's the owner of the empire everyone talks about every f*****g day. Why wouldn't they obey him?
Why wouldn't they do the will of the man in control?
I spent the night in one of the cramped holding cells at the station, and as soon as morning arrived, I requested to speak with one of the officers who had brought me in the previous night.
“Where is my lawyer?” I asked. “We should have a conversation before it's time to appear in court.”
“You're just ungrateful,” the man said with a shrug before turning to leave.
“Tell me, how am I ungrateful?” I asked genuinely. “At least give me the chance to hire my own lawyer since the one assigned to me doesn't want to show up and speak with me.”
He turned around and fixed me with a sharp stare.
“We've heard about how violent and aggressive you are. This is a police station filled with armed officers. I don't need to tell you to watch your tongue.”
Then he walked away.
I quietly sobbed inside the cramped room until it was finally time to face the judge and everyone else in the courtroom.
They drove me to the courthouse and parked outside. Two rough-looking officers escorted me inside.
My gaze swept across the faces already gathered there.
The happiness on some of their faces made it seem as though they'd been waiting for this day for a very long time.
I wanted to ask one of the officers who my lawyer was, but they glared at me and warned me to stay quiet.
I stood in the defendant's box, took the required oath, and waited for the proceedings to begin.
My heart started thumping loudly in my chest.
This was a setup.
I knew one when I saw it.
A setup orchestrated by an ordinary person could be challenged. But a setup orchestrated by someone who owned an empire?
The judges answered to him.
The lawyers answered to him.
Even the police and powerful people answered to him.
What chance did I have? Hadn't he practically celebrated the thought of me being relocated to my "new home"?
What else could he have meant if not a prison cell? What else exactly?
“The court is now in session,” the court clerk announced. “The case of Elena Silverstein, who allegedly murdered an innocent woman after attempting to murder one Phoebe Monroe but failed. Does the defendant have legal representation?”
“Yes, she does,” someone said from the back of the courtroom.
I quickly wiped the tears from my face.
“Good day, Your Honor, members of the court, and everyone present. My name is Xander, and I am Elena Silverstein's lawyer.”
Then our eyes met.
He immediately looked away, and my hands began to tremble.
“Please proceed,” the judge said.
“I am here to confirm to the court that the murder allegations made against my client, Elena Silverstein...” Xander's voice echoed through the courtroom as my breath caught in my throat.
My eyes remained fixed on him.
“...are true.”
“What?!”
“Please remain quiet,” one of the court officials snapped at me.
“After careful review and personal investigation, I discovered that she did indeed attempt to murder Phoebe Monroe but instead caused the death of an innocent woman who consumed the poisoned drink.”
My lips began to tremble.
I could barely concentrate anymore.
Was I even supposed to be surprised?
“But I ask the court to consider her mental health,” he continued. “Please show mercy alongside justice. She is erratic, violent, and mentally unstable.”
No.
This was a lie.
A complete lie.
What the f**k?
After a brief review of the documents before him, the judge spoke.
“Having considered the evidence presented and the statements made before this court, Elena Silverstein is hereby sentenced to twenty years in prison.”
My eyes widened.
“Court rise!”
“What?!” I screamed.
“No! You can't do this to me! No, no, no! Don't come any closer! You can't send me to prison! That's not my home!”
I struggled against the officers, but they grabbed my arms, forced them behind my back, cuffed me, and dragged me out of the courtroom.
A tear slipped down my cheek as I lifted my head.
Then I saw her.
Phoebe stood beside Xander near the courtroom exit.
Her lips curled into a triumphant smile. Her brow knitted and a smirk danced on her lips right after. She blew me a kiss and winked just before the officers shoved me towards the waiting van.
“No!” I let out a guttural scream.
“Darius is gone! My freedom is gone too! I'm innocent!”
I caught one last glimpse of Zane. He kissed Phoebe on the cheek and smiled softly while I was being dragged away.
My voice was weak, but I managed to say the words loudly enough for him to hear.
“You will pay for this.”
I swallowed hard as tears streamed down my face.
“I swear on my life, all of you will pay dearly for what you've done to me.”
- Writer
