Chapter 5
1330 Words
Chapter 5
The court was filled with lots of people from different calibers. Reporters were already sitting waiting for the next headlines they would publish after now and cameras followed me as I was escorted into the courtroom.
“Murderer.” Some whispered enough for me to hear.
“A billionaire’s daughter turned out to be a murderer.”
I stood behind the barrier. My hand trembled with fear as I looked around the large room where the proceedings of the case would be held I saw my Dad, and then Mom. Then I saw Damian sitting next to my sister Tessa for someone who had arranged all of this because he claimed I was being unfaithful. He had no problems publicly stroking Tessa’s hair right there and then in public view.
Immediately my eyes found Damien and everything else disappeared. It was only Damien I could see. I remembered the way he used to smile whenever he called my name. The compliments, the way he held my hand, the gifts, the dinner and lunch dates.
Soon the judge entered and everyone stood.
Then the room went silent. Today will be a huge turning point in my life.
I quietly pleaded maybe to God, or Dad, or Mom, or Damien just anybody to save me.
I still couldn’t understand how everything pointed to me as being guilty.
The weapon had my fingerprints, my dress had bloodstains, I was found half naked with the lifeless victim, the security footage showed me entering the room alone, the toxicology tests showed I was not drugged, the hotel staff all said I entered the room alone. Everything pointed out to me being the killer. But in truth, I didn’t kill anyone. But the truth is nothing when all evidence points otherwise.
“Proceed.” The judge said to the prosecutor.
The prosecutor stood up.
“Your honor, the evidence before this court is undeniable and overwhelming. The accused had the murder weapon.”
“No..” My lawyer stopped me from speaking while the prosecutor continued.
“The victim Bradford Wilson is an accountant who had recently discovered financial irregularities connected to several powerful companies and families.”
My eyes widened, no one had mentioned anything about this.
He raised the photos of Mr Bradford and another photo of the weapon.
“The victim was killed in the room where the accused was found half naked in blood and the fingerprints on the weapon matched that of the accused, there were blood stains on her dress and no one else was inside the room at that time.”
“There was someone,” I whispered, the prosecutor heard me.
“Who?” He asked and I froze because I didn’t know and I couldn’t recall anything that happened that night. He turned back towards the judge.
“Exactly, the accused cannot provide even a single piece of evidence to support her claims of innocence.”
My lawyer stood up immediately
“Objection my lord, the defendant was unconscious and…”
“Overruled.” The judge said and I lowered my head completely hopeless.
Soon I was called to testify. I slowly walked to the stand, and I raised my hands.
“I swear to tell the truth.” My lawyer approached me.
“Do you know the victim?”
“No”
“Have you ever met Bradford Wilson before that night?”
“No,” I replied with a cracked voice.
“Did you kill him?”
“No.”
“Did you have any reason to kill him?”
“No,” I answered.
“Then why were you with him in the room?”
“I went there because I received a text from Damien asking for us to meet at Sterling Hotel.”
“Are you sure Damien Sterling asked you to meet him?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any proof?”
“Yes, my phone.”
Luckily the messages were recovered from my iCloud. The prosecutor immediately stood up.
“Your honor, the messages were sent but there is no evidence that Mr Sterling directly sent them.”
I cried with fear, then my lawyer continued.
“What happened after you arrived?”
“There I met Tessa.” The courtroom became so silent. I looked directly into Tessa’s eyes.
“Tessa told me she wanted us to make things right.” Tears filled my eyes.
“I trusted her because I’ve always wanted her to accept me as her sister. I drank with her and soon I became dizzy.”
“What happened after that?”
“I don’t know, I just woke up beside a dead man , I don’t remember killing him, but I know I didn’t kill him.”
The prosecutor stood
“So you want us to believe all these without any evidence.”
I lowered my head. Soon the session came to an end and it was time for the judge to give his final verdict. I waited impatiently with fear.
“On the charge of first-degree murder, we find the defendant…..” he paused and my heart pounded in fear.
“Guilty.” He said and my whole world stopped. My knees almost failed me.
“No…” I looked at Dad, who didn’t move an inch, mom lowered her head, Tessa pretended to be crying while Damien stood with no emotions. I felt the life I had left leave me.
“Considering the severity of the crime and the evidence presented before the court, Nessa Whitlock is hereby sentenced to…life imprisonment.”
The words echoed in my head. Life imprisonment, which means I would live and grow old behind bars. I’ve lost my life, my future, my dreams and my freedom.
The guards dragged me and when I got to where Dad was standing I grabbed him by his shirt as I cried my eyes out.
“Dad you know I didn’t do it……I swear I didn’t do it… Dad, please help me please..” Tears streamed down my eyes.
He stayed quiet for some seconds and his reply broke me completely.
“I didn’t know how you became this cruel.” I stopped breathing
“Dad?” I called but the guards dragged me forcefully out, I fought against them violently.
“Please, I'm innocent.” I pleaded but no one listened.
My eyes met Damien’s and the only thing I met was coldness. No emotions, no love, no regrets and there was Tessa beside him who gave me a tiny smile. That was when I realized that I’ve lost everything to Tessa. Tessa won. And I understood I was completely alone.
Four Years Later
I had gotten used to the four walls of this cell. I lost my emotions. I now understand that kindness doesn’t pay. I am no longer the girl from four years ago. Now I know better. People will always betray you when the odds are in their favour. Every morning I woke up with questions in my head and I needed answers to them.
Two years ago I heard the news of Damien Sterling and Tessa Whitlock's marriage and also the partnership of Sterling Group and Whitlock Group, and I couldn’t help but wonder how all of this happened. No one visited me and soon I stopped expecting visitors.
For four years I kept asking. The hope of getting my revenge on the people who betrayed me gave me the reason to keep pushing and hoping to be free someday.
Who is Bradford Wilson?
Why was he killed?
Who killed him?
Why was I blamed for it?
I had already lost hope of regaining my freedom until one afternoon the prison warden summoned me, saying someone was here to see me.
“Nessa Whitlock…someone is here to see you.”
“Who?” I asked
The warden’s expression changed to fear as I could see him trembling.”
“Draco Blackthorne.”
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