"no further questions your honor." lionel spoke as he sat down.
"defense, you may go." the judge spoke firmly.
"so, ophelia, do you think you could have done anything to provoke your fathers behavior?" she spoke.
"no. i had to grow up without an opinion or know how to handle anything appropriately because of the fear of getting hit." i spoke firmly.
"i see, did you ever feel like you could get help before it got this bad?" she asked.
"no, i didn't. i feared for my life." i replied with tears in my eyes.
"oh bullshit ophelia." dad spoke as he stood up, only to be pushed down by the lawyer.
i flinched back and tears quickly fell down my face. michael stood up concerned.
"that's enough! do we need anymore proof that this child has been through absolute hell?" the judge spit as she stood up.
"jury, do you feel like you have enough information to make an educated and fair decision?" the judge asked.
"we do your honor." the jury spoke.
"good, the court may go in recess." the judge spoke as she stood up.
i shakily stood up and walked down the stairs with tears in my eyes.
out of the corner of my eye i saw dad lunge at me and i quickly fell to the side hitting my ribs on the corner of the table.
the judge quickly turned around when she heated the commotion and yelled, "take this man away until we are ready to sentence!"
i quickly scurried over to michael's open arms.
i collapsed and started sobbing my eyes out.
"you're okay baby, you're okay." he whispered.
soon the recess was over and i sat back down between michael and luke.
the judge came in and sat down.
"has the jury come to a decision?" she asked.
"yes. we the jury find the defendant guilt upon all charges." the main juror spoke firmly.
"we the jury also recommend the maximum sentence for the defendant todd marven of 15 years." the juror spoke.
"very well, if i may add my personal opinion. sir, you disgust me. what possessed you to make you okay with abusing the sweet little girl in this court today? do you see your daughter? she's terrified of you. why would you want that?" the judge spoke deathly slow. "you clearly have no remorse for your actions, therefore, i agree with the jury. the defendant, todd marven, is charged with 15 years without parole. court dismissed."
i felt tears pouring down my face as my dad stood there blank before collapsing and yelling on the floor crying. i just ruined his life.
ashton saw my facial expression and quickly nudged michael to start moving.
"come on pretty girl. you're okay." michael spoke softly as he grabbed my hand and held me walk away.
as soon as we exited the court room i dropped to my knees and started sobbing.
"i-i h-he looked so s-sad." i sobbed into my hands.
"oh sweet girl." ashton sighed as he bent next to me.
"his feelings aren't your concern anymore. he chose to do what he did, abandoning you as his child." calum added.
"i just feel like the s-shittiest b-being alive." i stuttered in between iffy breathes.
"you aren't. this wasn't your fault. at all. you did nothing wrong." michael spoke firmly.
"agreed. you couldn't control what he did. no one could but him, you should never feel guilty for someone else's actions." luke spoke softly.
i nodded slowly and shakily stood up.
"today was exhausting." i whispered as we began walking to the car.
"agreed princess."
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Leave//5sos✔️
Fanfiction"did you know your daughter is being abused by her boyfriend?" "no, of course not."
