Chapter five:Words That Changed Everything (Part 3)
871 Words
Juliet watched from the wooden bench as Albert spoke calmly with the officers.
Unlike everyone else that night, he didn't raise his voice or try to intimidate anyone. He simply listened, asked questions, and requested that each person tell the same story again.
Within minutes, the contradictions began to show.
"You said she attacked you the moment she entered the room," Albert said, looking at the man.
"That's exactly what happened."
Albert nodded thoughtfully.
"Interesting."
The man frowned.
"Why?"
Albert turned to one of the security guards.
"You were the first person into the room, correct?"
"Yes."
"When you entered, where was Mr. Daniels standing?"
The guard thought for a second.
"He wasn't standing. He was holding the lady's wrist."
The room fell silent.
Albert looked back at the man.
"You claimed you never touched her."
"I..."
"You also claimed she attacked you without provocation."
The man's confidence began to fade.
Albert continued, his tone still polite.
"Would you like to explain why a security guard found you holding her wrist?"
The man looked away.
"I... she misunderstood."
Albert sighed softly.
"No, sir. It appears you're the one who misunderstood."
One of the officers stepped forward.
"Enough."
He looked at Juliet.
"So he grabbed you first?"
Juliet nodded.
"Yes."
"And you hit him trying to get away?"
Another nod.
"Yes."
The officer looked at the security guard, who confirmed her story.
After a brief discussion, the officer returned.
"Miss Juliet, you're free to go."
Relief washed over her so suddenly that her legs almost gave way.
She stood, clutching her handbag tightly.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Albert smiled.
"Don't thank me yet. Thank yourself."
She frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"You defended yourself."
Juliet looked down.
"I thought nobody would believe me."
"I believed you."
His answer caught her off guard.
"Why?"
Albert picked up his briefcase.
"Because frightened people and dishonest people don't tell stories the same way."
She blinked.
"You could tell?"
"I've spent years watching people testify in court."
A tiny smile finally appeared on Juliet's face.
"So... being a lawyer has its advantages."
"It occasionally pays off."
She laughed quietly.
"There it is."
"What?"
"The first smile."
She hadn't realized she was smiling.
Albert checked his watch.
"It's late."
"It is."
"Do you have someone picking you up?"
Juliet shook her head.
"I'll take a taxi."
Albert frowned slightly.
"After everything that's happened tonight?"
"I'll be fine."
He thought for a moment before speaking.
"If you don't mind, I'll drive you."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
She hesitated.
"You've already helped me enough."
"I disagree."
Juliet looked at him for a few seconds before finally nodding.
"Okay."
...
The drive was surprisingly quiet.
Not uncomfortable.
Peaceful.
Albert wasn't the type to fill every silence with unnecessary conversation.
Halfway through the journey he glanced at her.
"May I ask you something?"
"You already are."
He laughed.
"Fair enough."
"What is it?"
"Do you always carry that much courage?"
Juliet looked out the window.
"I wasn't courageous."
"You hit a man who was trying to overpower you."
"I was terrified."
"Courage isn't the absence of fear."
She turned to him.
"It's acting despite the fear."
She stared at him for a moment before smiling faintly.
"You sound like you've said that before."
"My father used to."
"What did he do?"
"He practiced law before I did."
"You admired him."
"Every day."
Juliet nodded slowly.
"I can tell."
A few minutes later they reached her apartment.
She unfastened her seatbelt.
"I don't know how to thank you."
Albert smiled.
"You've thanked me three times already."
"I don't think it's enough."
"It is."
She opened the door, then paused.
"Will I see you again?"
Albert looked genuinely thoughtful.
"I'd like that."
She smiled.
"So would I."
She stepped out of the car.
Before closing the door, she leaned down.
"Goodnight, Albert."
"Goodnight, Juliet."
He waited until she was safely inside before driving away.
...
Back in his apartment, Albert loosened his tie and poured himself a glass of water.
His phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Everything settled?" the voice on the other end asked.
"Yes."
"And your client?"
Albert smiled.
"He'll be fine."
He ended the call but didn't move immediately.
Instead, his thoughts drifted back to Juliet.
There had been fear in her eyes at the station.
But beneath it...
Strength.
She hadn't begged.
She hadn't surrendered.
She had fought back.
Albert found himself smiling.
"Interesting," he murmured.
...
The next morning, Connor knocked on Juliet's door.
No answer.
He frowned and knocked again.
Still nothing.
He pulled out his phone and called.
Straight to voicemail.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
He didn't know why.
He only knew something felt... off.
Unaware of everything that had happened the previous night, Connor walked away with a growing sense of unease.
Somewhere else in the city, Albert's assistant walked into his office carrying a bouquet of fresh lilies.
"The flowers you requested have arrived."
Albert looked up from the file on his desk.
"Perfect."
He picked up a small blank card and uncapped his pen.
For a moment, he wondered what to write.
Then he smiled and began to write the first words that would bring Juliet back into his life.
- Writer
