'MIA REGINA' ✓

ELEVEN

Bella PoV

"la giuria emetterà il verdetto dopo la pausa."

[Translation: the jury will release the verdict after the break.]

Everyone stood up as the judge and jury left. I immediately take that as my cue and left from the back door without getting noticed. Today was the last trial for Pearl's case and till then they didn't have enough evidence to prove that Pearl was not guilty.

I dialled crimson Scarlett number.

"Meet me at the back in five minutes." I spoke and she hummed before cutting the call. I cautiously took step making sure no cameras got my face or I don't bump into any of them. They all were in the courtroom except for Grace and papa— am supposed to call Stefan papa?

I'm still calling him papa even after what he said to me. He didn't believe me when I was telling the truth. Nevertheless it's not the right time to think about the past. He made his choice and it's about time I made mine.

After thinking hard for two days I come to the decision. I may hate Pearl, heck I don't even want to be in the same place as him but I can't deny the fact that even after what he did to me, I can't forget the times he made me happy. He saved me from the auction, he saved me from stripping even though I didn't hate that job but still. He bought me so many things when I didn't ask for it. He's the reason I don't have nightmares. He was there when I was telling him about my past. He stayed, even though it was just for a short period of time. He was there for me at every step. The time we spend together meant so much to me. His touches, his kisses, the way he looked at me—I loved everything.

I loved him.

And I know a part of me still feels for him. I don't want to feel anything for him but I can't help when I looked at him sitting emotionless in the courtroom. He didn't said a word when the jury and the counselor were accusing him. I didn't understand why he was doing that. The Pearl I knew would have killed everyone who disrespect him but he stayed silent.

But I'm not going to.

I'm not going to let him suicide. The court break is only for half and hour and I have to do something before they release their final verdict. I can't let him die. He's going to be father for fuck sake. I can't let a child grow up without a father. If Pearl can't think of anything then I have to take this in my own hands.

And after lot of debates I have two theories.

Either I abduct Pearl without getting anyone notice or threaten the judge. The later one sounds more good as I'm still not ready to let them know that I'm alive. Threatening a person who happens to works for  government is hard but it's the only way.

I felt a hand covered my mouth and pushed me. I was about to twist his hand but then I saw the person.

"It's me." Crimson Scarlett said keeping her fingers on her lips.
I glared at her and she immediately removed her hand.

"Don't do that next time." I said and she nodded. She was wearing a black outfit and sneakers. Her red hair pulled up in a ponytail. She did a smoky eyes making her look bold.

"Let's go. We don't have time." I said and we both kicked the door opened barging inside. There was one camera in the hallway that she already took care of.

As expected, that old was was sitting on his chair smoking. But immediately startled when we bursted the door. He was about to call someone when Crimson Scarlett pull out her gun pointing at him. I took the phone from him and closed the door sitting infront of me.

He eyes went to her then at me.

"W-who..are y-you?" He stuttered making me roll my eyes at him. Fucking pathetic.