Chapter 7

Chapter 7 

“Please state your name and occupation for the record,” the prosecutor said, her voice firm and commanding. 

“A—Adrianna Houston,” I stuttered my voice barely a whisper.  “I was an intern under Lance Hamilton. 

I stood at the witness stand, my heart racing with anxiety. I could feel Lance's eyes on me filled with a mix of relief and gratitude. He thought I was there to vindicate him, to tell the truth about the false evidence that my Father had planted but I couldn’t. 

I held everything in me not to face his eyes. I wish I could help you, Lance. I wish I could but I meant nothing to my father, a pawn in his game. 

“Can you describe your relationship with the defendant, Lance? The prosecutor asked, her eyes narrowing slightly……

I hesitated, feeling a knot form in my stomach. This was my final chance to redeem myself and save Lance but my Father is a ruthless and ambitious man. He would stop at nothing till he uproots any threat standing in his way. Lance's life and my sister's engagement were at risk. 

“We ....we are in a romantic relationship,” I said finally, my voice cracking. 

Lance's eyes snapped to mine, filled with a mixture of surprise and pain. Everybody gasped, including my Father. “Adrianna, what are you doing? he whispered, his voice barely audible. 

I avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the prosecutor. “ I'm telling the truth,”. 

The prosecutor nodded, “And can you describe the events of the day in question?” 

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “Before his arrest, Lance and I were at the office discussing business but before then I had noticed his sneaky movements and I suspected him of being involved in an illegal business,” 

I paused and forced my voice to crack and a fake sob left my mouth. “Then I confronted him but instead he became angry and aggressive, and I feared for my safety.”

(Three days back) 

I sat in my father's office, my heart racing with anxiety. He stood behind his desk, his eyes blazing with anger. 

“ You're going to testify against Lance, " he said, his voice low and menacing. “You're going to tell the court he assaulted you and you also suspected him of running an illegal business behind the company. 

I shook my head, feeling a surge of fear. "Father, I don't know if I can do that. Lance didn't assault me. He's innocent."

My father's face darkened, and he slammed his fist on the desk. "You'll do as I say, Alexandra! You'll testify against Lance, or you'll suffer the consequences."

I felt a chill run down my spine as he walked around the desk and stood in front of me. "What consequences?" I whispered.

My father's eyes gleamed with malice. "If you don't testify against Lance, I'll make sure he's killed in jail. I have connections, Adrianna. I can make it happen."

I felt a wave of horror wash over me. "No, Father! You can't do that!"

My father's expression didn't change. "And that's not all. If you don't cooperate, I'll also break off your sister's engagement. She'll never marry the man she loves, all because of your disobedience."

I felt a pang of fear and guilt. My sister's engagement was just a few weeks away, and she was over the moon with happiness. I couldn't let my father ruin her happiness, not when she had already been through so much.

"Okay, Father," I whispered, feeling a sense of defeat. "I'll testify against Lance. I'll do whatever you want."

My father's expression changed, and he smiled a cold and calculating smile. "That's my good girl, Adrianna. I knew I could count on you."

(courtroom) 

Lance's eyes widened in shock, and he took a step forward as if to protest. That's not true, he exclaimed, his voice rising. “ Adrianna you know that's not true…tell them the truth!” 

The judge banged his gavel, his stern face. “Orders! The defendants will remain calm and composed. 

I watched with a pained heart as his lawyer placed a restraining arm on his shoulder before whispering something to his ear. 

I have seen Lance's charismatic, sexy, ambitious, and sweet side but nothing prepared me for seeing his broken side. He looked miserable as he tried to hide his tears. 

I watched as I broke the only man that cared, loved, and listened to me. If I had gone ahead to betray my father, Lance didn't have the power to protect us from his wrath

I felt a tear roll down my cheek, and I quickly brushed it away, trying to compose myself. “I am telling the truth, I had bruises and scratches on my arm and inner thigh!” 

The courtroom fell silent as the judge's voice echoed through the room. "Lance, please stand before the court."

Lance stood up, his eyes fixed on the judge, his face pale and drawn. His lawyer stood beside him, a somber expression on his face.

"The court has found you guilty of assault and fraud," the judge declared, his voice firm and authoritative. "You have been convicted of a serious crime, and you must face the consequences."

Lance's eyes dropped, and he took a deep breath. He knew what was coming.

"It is the sentence of this court that you, Lance, be imprisoned for ten years," the judge pronounced, his voice echoing through the courtroom.

The room erupted into a flurry of activity as the courtroom deputies moved to take Lance into custody. His lawyer patted him on the back, a look of sympathy on his face.

Lance's eyes scanned the courtroom, searching for a familiar face. He spotted me, sitting in the back of the courtroom, my eyes fixed on him. For a moment, our eyes locked, and I saw a flash of pain and betrayal.

Then, he was gone, led away by the deputies as the courtroom erupted into chaos.

I sat in stunned silence, my mind reeling with the consequences of my actions. I had testified against Lance, and now he was going to prison. I felt a wave of guilt and regret wash over me, and I knew that I would never be able to forgive myself for what I had done.