Obsession

26.

Raven sat in the back of the courtroom awaiting her husbands case to be called. Today was the day she told it all. Maryland had repeatedly tried to bargain and reach out with her over the last three days but she wasn't having it. She hated the both of them with all her heart.

The man she was beginning to love again hadn't even told the truth about their situation. He lied and blamed everything on her. And here she was pregnant and looking as stupid as she knew he would have her.

Stanley and Ebony were too disgusted with Stephen to even step foot in the court room today so they were keeping the kids. Instead Victoria sat at her side. She had to practically drag raven from the bed this morning.

The time finally came. Her husband was escorted in, the orange jumpsuit he was wearing fit kind of snug. His facial hair was starting to grown and it made him look older and sexier. She couldn't help but admire her man, no matter how wrong he did her she loved him from the bottom of her heart.

He made eye contact with her before finally being seated and she knew from that point in she had no choice but to lie. Raven couldn't put Stephen away, she would be taking away her kids father and her lover. Victoria caught on and just shook her head. She knew her best friend would be lying on the stand today and it made her sick.

No one should ever go through half of the shit Raven went through and let their attacker get away with it. But here she was about to risk her freedom to lie for someone she shouldn't love at all.

"All rise. This court is now in session. The honorable Judge Mathew presiding."

We all rise and wait until told to be seated.

"You may be seated."

"First on the docket today. Ace vs Brite"

"Mr.Ace how do you plead?"

"Guilty your honor"

She looks at him then slowly makes eye contact with Raven.

"Mrs.Ace can you come to the front please?"

Everyone looks around. The pregnant woman makes her way to the stand. Her salmon colored dress hugs her body while the brown shawl drapes loosely.

She swears on the Bible before taking the witness stand.

"Mrs. Ace from my understanding you are trying to get all charges against your husband dropped. Is this correct?"

"Yes"

"Why? So you understand what he's done to you?"

"I do. But I don't see it as rape. I had every chance to leave before I got tied up. I don't see it as kidnapping. I had every chance to leave when my family came to visit and even before then."

"And what about the domestic abuse charge?"

She looks shook. How did they know about that?

"What.. what domestic abuse?"

"Mrs.Ace let me remind you. You are under oath." He looks down at her a little disappointed.

She makes eye contact with Stephen and everything changed. The day he practically beat the shit out of her played back in her head on a loop. Tears began to form and drop and it hurt Stephen to his heart to watch.

"Mrs.Ace so you need a moment?"

"Yes please."

"Bailiff please escort her out and make sure she's ok and not in need of anything."

He nods and Victoria gets up walking out of the courtroom too. Maryland shakes her head. Her son really was the devil.

"Your honor defense would like to present evidence one A-D."