Nanginginig ang mga tuhod ko habang papasok kami ng court, ngayon na gaganapin ang pre-trial hearing at sobrang saya ko nang ibalita sa'kin ni Duncan na nakahanap na sila ng witness na magpapatunay na wala akong kasalanan.
Nakaposas ang mga kamay ko at naupo na ako sa puwesto ko. Nakita kong pumasok si Cruise, kasama si Cadaver, Cassandra at ang mga kaibigan niya.
Parang pinupunit ang puso ko nang makita ko siyang umupo at matiim na nakatitig sa puwesto ko. Sa ilang araw na hindi ko siya nakita, ngayon ko lang napagtanto kung gaano nga ba kalaki ang galit ko para sa kanya na naipon sa puso ko.
Paulit-ulit na sinisigaw ng isip ko ang mga katagang 'hinding-hindi ko siya mapapatawad!'. Kaagad akong nag-iwas ng tingin at narinig ko nalang ang boses ng judge.
"All rise. This court is now in session. Please be seated."
The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the courtroom. I sat stiffly at the defense table, my lawyer, Duncan, a seasoned veteran with a calming presence, beside me. The prosecution's table was occupied by Cruise's devil friend, named Welius Morgan.
The tension in the room was palpable. Whispers of "The Poisoned Wine Case" rippled through the audience as the judge, a stern woman with a no-nonsense air, took her seat.
Humakbang ang judge, isang babaeng mahigpit na may awtoridad, at umupo sa kanyang puwesto.
"The case of the Republic of the Philippines vs. Bethany Andrea Cagliostro Delmonio is now called."
Napakabog ang dibdib ko at tila hindi napapagod sa kakalundag. Walong taon na ang nakalipas, at hindi ko akalain na malalagay ako sa sitwasyong ito. Ngayon, nakaharap ako sa isang panghabang buhay na sentensya para sa isang krimen na hindi ko nagawa.
Morgan is standing, addressing the jury.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, eight years ago, two prominent businessmen, Don Carlos and Don Caruso Delmonio, were found dead in their private suite at Casa Delmonio. The cause of death? Poison. The evidence will show that the poison was administered through a bottle of wine, and the defendant, it was Bethany who entered the suite where the Dons were...."
My lawyer, Duncan leaned in, his voice a soothing balm against the storm brewing in my gut.
"Your Honor, we would like to request permission to present our opening statement after the prosecution has laid out their case."
Sabi niya sa judge.
"Granted.... Mr. Morgan, you may proceed."
Nagsimula nang ipakita ni Morgan ang kanyang kaso, ang kanyang boses ay matatag at maingat. Ipinakita niya ang mga larawan, ang malabo na footage ng CCTV, at ang patotoo ng staff ng Casa Delmonio na nakakita sa akin na lumalabas sa suite.
The prosecution's case was like a vise, tightening around me with each piece of evidence. The photos, the footage, the witness testimony, all pointed to my guilt.
Tinitigan ko ang vial, kinalma ko ang isip at puso ko. Wala akong maalala sa anumang nangyari. Naging malabo na ang alaala ko mula noong gabing 'yon, ni hindi ko maalala kung ba't lumabas ako mula sa suite at anong ginawa ko sa loob. Kasi ang CCTV footage na ipinakita ay noong nakalabas na ako sa suite na 'yon, at walong taon na ang nakalipas at hindi ako makapaniwala na wala akong masyadong maalala.
Tumayo naman si Duncan sa tabi ko, his face composed, his eyes unwavering.
"Your Honor, the prosecution has presented a case based on circumstantial evidence. There is no direct evidence linking my client to the poisoning."
He began to dismantle the prosecution's case, pointing out inconsistencies in the CCTV footage, questioning the witness's reliability, and highlighting the lack of a motive.
BINABASA MO ANG
DEVIL'S WRATH 6: Cruise Delmonio (COMPLETED)
RomanceWarning: 🔞 (This is not suitable for young readers.) Bethany Cagliostro is a confident and brave woman. However, due to a mission assigned by a powerful force, she had to confront the darkness to enter the shadowy world of a dangerous and powerful...
