9|Court Day
I stood with every ounce of composure I had left, pretending that my knees weren't shaking beneath my tailored pantsuit.
I'd just finished questioning Deshawn, trying to get the jury to feel the fear he had that night.
The fear that kept him alive.
The fear that made him swing.
I thought I did good, but the second Nate rose from his chair, I felt it in my gut.
He wasn't my husband in this courtroom.
He was a predator, and I was prey.
I had convinced myself he would let me win this time, but whatever interaction we had last night probably ruined any chances of him going easy.
He didn't even look at me this morning or even when we entered the courtroom.
I glanced at Kate and Russell in the back, looking semi-impressed by my performance.
"Don't let him win," Russell mouthed to me and I simply nodded before returning my attention to Nate.
He adjusted his jacket slowly...deliberately.
"Let's stick to facts, not fiction, Mrs. Carter," he coldly began.
I braced myself knowing that he was about to be an absolute animal to me.
I've watched him in court too many times.
I've seen too many lawyers have mental breakdowns and cry during court because of him.
He never went that far with me, but something told me that he wouldn't hold back today.
However, I still have hope that he loves me enough to just go easy and let me win, just this once.
"Your client struck the victims multiple times, correct?" He asked me.
"He believed he was defending himself," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Believed," he echoed mockingly, turning to the jury.
"No medical records to suggest he was harmed. No surveillance footage. No third-party witness," he spoke in an angry tone.
"Just belief. Just fear. Tell me, where's the evidence of this so-called 'threat'?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but he didn't give me the chance.
"Let's talk about your preparation," he went on, circling the courtroom like he owned it.
"No forensic expert. No trauma specialist. No behavioral analyst to support your claim. Just your client's word and yours. A lawyer who built a defense on air."
I clenched my fists at my sides as I looked back at Russell and he was facepalming himself.
"Tell me, Counselor," he spat the word like poison. "Do you always bring cases this recklessly into court? Or did you believe I would just allow you to win?"
I felt heat crawl up my neck.
The judge didn't interrupt.
Nobody did.
He was still technically within bounds. Just cruel enough to be admissible.
Nate knew the law like the back of his hand.
I opened my mouth to speak, but I froze up.
I froze up like I always did when I was in court with him.
"You're asking this jury to believe a man acted in fear. But fear without evidence is fiction. And your client is not a storyteller, he's a defendant in a courtroom."
I wanted to scream at him.
To yell that Deshawn was telling the truth.
That I wasn't incompetent.
That I wasn't some fool who walked into court with nothing.
But the way he was looking at me, like I was already buried, it made me question everything.
I nervously scrambled through my notes, trying to find something...anything.
"No corroborating testimony," he continued, voice rising slightly.
"No video. No emergency call. No visible injuries. But sure, let's just take your word for it, right?"He smiled, sharp and cruel.
"Trust the lawyer who brought us nothing but feelings."
He finally sat down.
And just like that, the courtroom turned cold.
Even the jury looked at me differently.
I clenched my jaw as I looked down.
Judge Halberd adjusted her glasses and cleared her throat. "Mrs. Carter, unless you have something substantive to add, I'm going to ask you to conclude your questioning."
My heart sank.
I glanced at Deshawn.
He looked down, his jaw locked.
He already knew what I couldn't admit out loud.
I had failed him.
I had failed my firm too.
"No further questions, Your Honor," I softly said.
She nodded. "Very well. Let's give the jury some time to decide."
After nervously waiting a while, the jury came to a conclusion and we stood as the judge read it.
"The jury finds in favor of the prosecution. Mr. Taylor will remain in custody pending sentencing."
"You'll pay for this," Deshawn angrily muttered under his breath. "I'll make sure you lose all your accreditation as a lawyer."
I stayed quiet as the officers took him away.
I don't get many of those.
In fact, this was my first time being threatened for losing a case.
Great.
Nate stood tall and composed on the other side of the room as he if hadn't just completely humiliated his wife.
He probably just thought about me as another opponent.
I walked past him without a word as I walked out the courtroom.
I sighed when I saw Russell and Kate standing outside.
Russell's arms were crossed and his jaw was tight.
"I told you we needed to win this case, Naomi," he glared at me.
I took a deep breath. "I know, but-"
He raised his hand.
"I don't want to hear it," he glared. "Ever since you lost that baby, you've been distracted."
"Whatever this is between you and Nathaniel Carter, I don't give a shit!" He shouted, causing people to look at us. "You just blew a case that we could've won, and now you're a liability."
He stepped in closer. "You're off all upcoming cases until further notice. Kate will take on all your cases."
I silently glanced at her, my jaw clenched.
She had a smug look on her face, letting me know she was enjoying this.
"Is that understood?" He asked.
"Yes, sir," I looked down before they both walked away.
I stood in the hallway, trying not to suffocate.
The courtroom door opened before Nate stepped out.
"Do you take me for a fucking joke?" He angrily asked from me. "Did you really think I would let you win this bullshit case?"
I kept my back turned to him, not willing to argue anymore.
"I want a divorce," I softly requested, closing my eyes as tears gathered in them.
I've had enough of this.
"What did I say about bringing that bullshit up again?" He asked and I quickly turned around before pushing him.
"You were supposed to go easy on me," I angrily said. "I told you how much I needed to win this."
"I won't allow criminals to walk free," he glared at me. "And I won't lose to someone who doesn't regret losing our child."
His last sentence shocked me.
"You're so stubborn it's actually suffocating," I glared back at him.
"You don't know what suffocating feels like," he glared at me. "You don't know what it's like to see a murderer walk free on the streets, laughing like he owns the world!"
"I do know," I continued to glare at him. "I've seen people lose everything because of a system too proud to bend."
He stepped forward, his jaw tight. "And I've seen the system let monsters walk free while people like you defend them like it's noble."
"Don't ever talk to me about loss, Naomi," he coldly said before walking away.