Free Web NovelChapter 152: The Pictures
Skyla and her legal team, shielded by the Police so no one would attack them, were led inside. She confidently entered the courtroom, she had nothing to hide.
Although her spirit had been dampened due to the slogans and hateful gazes of the people she didn’t falter or let anyone think how deeply hurt she was. freewёbnoνel.com
As she walked further in her eyes fell on Doran, sitting comfortably on the defendant’s table or one could say rather smugly. His sandy blonde hair were gelled and stylishly combed back. Donning a silverish grey pent coat with a matching tie he was a picture-perfect man. Only Skyla knew how false that image was.
Their eyes met momentarily and all she felt was frigid darkness dancing in his as she averted hers. Her entire being filled with immense hatred she carried for the man who destroyed her life, her mental health and her confidence.
Skyla and her legal team took their seats beside Doran and his team.
The room filled up with court officials, Huria and Lawrence. The jury was seated in their box. Zyair was not here. Caleb was present too but he didn’t seem very pleased and had a very displeased look on his face. He was seated behind Doran.
The presiding judge soon walked out.
"All rise!" Bailiff announced, and everyone rose.
"Good Morning! Take your seats," Judge Marione instructed and took her position at the podium, everyone else followed.
Silence prevailed.
Judge Marione tipped her glasses down and took a quick peek. Picking up her gavel she banged it down bringing the court in session.
"I call to order all the parties and counsel. We have gathered here today to deliberate upon the matter of matrimonial dissolution brought forth by plaintiff Skyla Adams against the defendant Doran Blackthorn. This court is duty-bound to carefully navigate the intricacies of this case, including allegations of spousal abuse, cheating and defamation with a keen eye. We will ensure equitable distribution of marital assets as well. I implore all present to adhere to the decorum of this legal forum as we pursue justice for everyone involved."
Judge Marione then addressed Sylvia.
"You may proceed with your opening statement and address the Jury."
Sylvia respectfully nodded and got up confidently walking over in her low heels, she took her position, facing the Jury and began.
"Thank you! Your Honour. This is not simply a divorce case. This represents the toxic mindset of the very society we live in. Where women are abused and brutalised, denied their rights and shamed when they try to take a stand for themselves. The world turns against them and sides with the man, just because he is famous with a pretty face.
The man who’s accusing finger like a crack of electricity which always finds an iron rod. It always finds a woman for his own misconduct and shortcomings.
My client, Skyla has been through all kinds of abuse, mental, physical, and emotional which we will reveal with proof. Mr Doran here is trying to pin her with all the false charges so he can escape unscathed, he is not only trying to humiliate her online but has severely damaged her reputation as well. I request the respected jury to keep in mind that the correct decision will make or break someone’s life and reputation."
She closed her statement, bunched her lips together before slightly bowing and walked away.
Skyla nervously adjusted her shirt, her heart hammering against her chest. Sylvia patted her hand while Lawrence and
Huria silently cheered for the powerful opening words.
Doran’s lawyer Mr Robsan then presented his opening which was a concocted bunch of lies. Skyla wanted to roll her eyes. Doran didn’t care for anyone else’s reputation as long as his remained intact, which he made abundantly clear to her so many times.
Sylvia took her position again in front of the witness box and reassuredly smiled at Skyla.
"You may bring your first witness," Judge Marione instructed, keeping a blank expression.
"I would like to call upon my client Skyla Adams to the witness stand," Sylvia called forward Skyla.
Getting up she boosted confidence in her gait, held her head high and her expression solemn as she walked up to the witness stand and took her position.
The court official asked her to raise her right hand so she could take the oath and was asked to repeat it behind him. Skyla obeyed and repeated it.
"I swear that the evidence I shall provide in this case shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God."
Once the oath was taken Skyla diverted her attention back to Sylvia as she politely asked her first question.
"Skyla! Why don’t you tell us why you are here?"
Skyla’s eyes automatically went to Doran who was watching her like a bloodthirsty predator as if daring for her to speak the truth. She would have let everything go if only he had signed the papers and set her free but he left her with no choice and she was done being afraid of him.
So she retracted her gaze and found her friends giving her reassuring smiles and finally focused on the Jury.
"I am here to seek divorce from my husband of nine years, Doran Blackthorn," she finally answered in a clear voice which didn’t tremble or seemed afraid.
"Why do you seek a divorce?" Sylvia questioned next.
"Because he married me for the wrong reasons. He married me to get hold of my father’s company Adam Corporation and not because he loved me. Throughout these nine years, I was constantly abused, physically as well as mentally. Not only that, he also repeatedly cheated on me with his secretary; Karen and other women. He deprived me of my rights as his wife, deprived me of love and destroyed my mental health and peace. And now he has accused me of having an extramarital affair and refuses to set me free."
Skyla told the court in a soft voice, the eyes of most jury members were judging her, calculating if she was telling the truth or not.
"Objection! On what grounds such accusations are being labelled against my client?" Robsan was quick to speak up.
"Overruled! Present any evidence you have related to these claims," Judge Marione sternly ordered.
"Of course!" Sylvia’s paralegal stepped forward with a folder and handed it over to the judge. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
It contained all the pictures Skyla had gathered over the years of all the bruises he had given her. An unfortunate reminder of what she had been through. But Skyla sat still, her face etched in pain.
Doran shifted uncomfortably in his chair and adjusted his tie. For the first time that calmness seemed ruffled and a murderous glint descended in his icy blue eyes. He had no clue that Skyla kept pictures. Seemed like he had underestimated his innocent wife.
Caleb was extremely perturbed at what was unfolding.
Judge Marione adjusted her glasses and meticulously observed every picture before passing it on to the Jury.
"They are clearly fake," Robsan announced, speaking without any regard for the court’s decorum.
"Don’t speak out of turn, I am the judge here and will decide if pictures are fake, altered or real," Judge Marione sternly reprimanded.
"Pardon." He bowed and sat back down and began to murmur something in the ear of a displeased-looking Doran. Skyla watched them with a slight satisfaction brimming in her fast thudding heart. She couldn’t wait to wipe off that smugness of his face.
Once the Jury had taken a good look at the pictures as well, the judge ordered a forensic analysis of the pictures to determine if they were real or tampered with.
The proceedings continued.
"Can you tell us the first time he hit you?" Sylvia softly asked, giving her a smile which held assurance.
"Yes!"
Her eyes wavered to Huria and she encouraged her with a thumbs up as Sylvia spoke again.
"Please! Tell the courtroom about it."
Inhale.
Exhale.
She practised as Zyair had taught her, she would not let her Sensei down. Getting her nerves under control, Skyla began.
"It was a few weeks before I was to get married to him. I went to his office to meet him and found his secretary naked in his arms, while he was telling her how he was using me for his benefit. When I confronted him and accused him of cheating he slapped me across the face and told me how easily he could destroy me and my ailing father who was on his deathbed at that time. I was asked to keep my mouth shut and play along or face the consequences."
The recollections saddened her once again and tears burnt the back of her eyes as she struggled to control them. She tightly clasped her hands in her lap and sniffled before saying.
"That was the first time of uncountable ones which followed where he would brutally hit me as if I wasn’t his wife but a punching bag."
