The Billionaire Secret Obsession

Chapter 11

"Members of the jury, your duty today is to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty, based solely on the facts and evidence provided in this case," the judge announced, his voice resonating across the courtroom, commanding silence.

I sat there, clutching my hands tightly together as though they might stop trembling. The courtroom was cold, yet sweat trickled down my back as I tried to focus on the judge’s words. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the moment justice would finally be served—or so I hoped. Every fiber of my being prayed that today would be the day he got what he deserved. My heart pounded so loudly that I could barely hear what was happening around me.

"I hereby declare you, Dawn Rouze Savilla, not guilty," the judge declared, the gavel slamming down with finality.

I froze. Not guilty? The words hit me like a thunderclap, reverberating in my chest. My breath hitched, and it felt as if the floor beneath me had fallen away. My vision blurred with tears as disbelief consumed me. This couldn’t be happening. It wasn’t possible. He must rot in jail. I wanted to scream, to object, but my voice was stuck in my throat, silenced by the cruel twist of fate.

Tears streamed down my face, and Serriah, who had been sitting beside me, quickly wrapped her arms around me. Her presence was steady and grounding, but nothing could dull the sting of this injustice.

"Shh... It’s okay," she whispered gently, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "We’ll file a petition again. We won’t stop until we win, I promise."

Her words, though comforting, felt hollow. The system had failed me, failed my father. How could I ever trust it again? Still, Serriah’s unwavering determination was the only thing keeping me from breaking completely. She had been a constant source of support since my father’s death, a surprising ally given how strained our relationship had once been. She had apologized for everything, from her harsh words to her cold treatment in the past, and while it didn’t erase the pain, her loyalty now meant the world to me.

As we prepared to leave the courtroom, the tension in my chest started to ease, only for it to spike again when I saw him. Dawn. He was walking toward us, his posture relaxed but his eyes burning with intensity. Before I could react, he reached for my wrist and held it firmly.

"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice calm but demanding.

"Let go," I said sharply, glaring at him with every ounce of anger I could muster.

"And what if I don’t?" he challenged, a smirk playing on his lips as though he enjoyed provoking me.

I yanked at my wrist, but his grip was unyielding. "What do you want from me?" I demanded, my voice trembling with suppressed rage.

"I want you," he said simply, his tone so earnest it left me momentarily speechless.

"You killed my father," I spat, my voice breaking as tears welled up again. The pain was as fresh as the day it happened. "Tell me, how much did you pay to escape justice? How much was my father’s life worth to you?"

His face darkened, his jaw tightening. "Fvck, are you that blind?" he snapped, his voice rising. "I was behind you when it happened. The gunshot came from your father’s back—behind him. I was there to protect you, to make sure you were safe. So tell me, how the hell could I have shot him?"

I faltered, his words stirring something inside me. Doubt. I hated it, but it was there. What if he was telling the truth? What if…? No, I couldn’t allow myself to believe him. Not after everything. "But—" I began, only to be cut off as he pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me.

And then he kissed me. It wasn’t gentle or tender. It was desperate, filled with a yearning that left me breathless. My mind screamed at me to push him away, but my body betrayed me, melting into his touch.

"Just trust me this time," he murmured against my lips, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "I know you’re smart, wifey. Don’t make conclusions without the full truth. Please."

Before I could say anything, Serriah stormed over, her face contorted with fury. Without hesitation, she slapped Dawn across the face, the sound echoing in the hallway.

"Don’t you dare talk to my sister ever again," she hissed, her voice like venom. "Don’t you dare try to manipulate her!"

"Serriah, stop it," I said, stepping between them, but she was relentless, her anger spilling over.

"No!" she shouted. "This man killed our father! He stole everything from us!" She raised her fists and began raining punches on him, each one landing with a force fueled by grief and hatred.

"Serriah, that’s enough!" I yelled, grabbing her arms to pull her back. "Let’s go. Please."

Reluctantly, she let me drag her away, though her glare remained locked on Dawn. "Stay the hell away from her!" she spat as we turned to leave.

I couldn’t help but glance back one last time. Dawn was standing there, his lip bleeding, his cheek red from Serriah’s slap, but his eyes… His eyes were on me. Despite the bruises and blood, there was a faint, sad smile on his lips. It was a look I couldn’t decipher—regret, pain, love?

I turned away, my chest tightening. As much as I wanted to hate him, to bury my feelings and walk away without looking back, a part of me still longed for him.

Damn it. I missed him. My husband. My tormentor. My greatest love.