“Yes, Your Honor.I do realize that.”
“Let’s get started, then.Mrs.Rivers, please explain to the court why you think an annulment is warranted.”
Regardless of how intimidated she was, Christa kept her head held high and her shoulders back as she stated her case.She started with the Monday morning after the wedding, the presentation of a divorce settlement, and Aaron’s subsequent concussion and loss of memory diagnosis.The judge looked more convinced than I thought he would.But it wasn’t over yet.
“Mr.Rivers, I understand your client contests the request to annul the marriage based on unsound mind at the time of their vows.”
Lance Rivers stood to address the court.“That’s correct, Your Honor.We have evidence to prove he was of sound mind and body during the vows.His medical issues came into being after the ceremony and consummation of their union.”
Lance submitted a DVD for evidence, and the bailiff played it for all to see.There, on the screen in front of me, was the love of my life marrying another man.The love brimming in her eyes when she looked at him tore at my heart.The video left no doubt of Aaron’s state of mind—he loved and cherished her, with or without the vows.
“As you can see from this video, and these wedding photographs taken immediately after the ceremony, my client was completely competent.”
“At what point was his state of mind called into question?”
“As Mrs.Rivers testified—” Lance looked over at Christa, but I didn’t see the cold, calculating man she described, “—when Mr.Rivers awoke Monday morning, his memories were temporarily compromised.After a thorough medical examination, we’ve determined he had a seizure due to post-traumatic brain injury.He’s fortunate to have only lost one week of memories.However, those memories are returning intermittently.We’re holding out hope they’ll eventually return completely.”
“Mr.Rivers,” the judge addressed Aaron.
“Yes, sir,” Aaron replied as he stood.
“Do you remember your wedding yet?”
“I remember parts of it.Christa walking down the aisle toward me and how I wanted her to hurry before she changed her mind and ran the other way.The reception hall where the other couples and their wedding parties waited for us, since we were the last ceremony of the day.”
“You wanted her to hurry?Why is that?”
“Because I love her more than my own life, Your Honor.Because I want to spend the rest of my life with her.Because everything in the world means nothing without her.”
Aaron was brave, I had to give him that.Although he spoke to the judge, his eyes were locked on to Christa’s the entire time.
“Based on the evidence provided today, I’m ruling against your request for an annulment, Mrs.Rivers.This marriage was entered into knowingly and willingly by both parties.There’s no evidence to substantiate Mr.Rivers was of unsound mind at any point before, during, or immediately after the ceremony.If you wish to pursue dissolving your marriage, you can file for a divorce and wait the required six months before it’s granted.”
With the ruling I expected handed down, Christa stood as the judge left the courtroom.Then she turned to face Aaron—and froze.Watching her watching him was painful because I felt their connection from where I sat.He wasn’t giving up, he wasn’t giving in, and I was the odd man out.
He was fighting to win her back, but not before I could win her over.
Best Friend Love
Christa
Divorce?
“Allie, I know this sounds crazy.I can’t even explain my own thoughts and feelings.But I don’t want to file for a divorce.”
“Then don’t.Stay with him.”
“I mean, I don’t want to be twenty-two, married, and divorced.The whole point of the annulment was to wipe it away as if it never happened.”
“If there has ever been a time I wanted to grab you and shake some sense into you, right now is that moment.It doesn’t matter if the judge calls you in the next thirty seconds and says he made a mistake and your marriage is annulled.You.Still.Married.Him.
“It won’t wipe your feelings away.You won’t magically get a fresh start.Nothing will make you forget him or how much you miss him.”
“What are you saying, Allie?”Her words cut me to the bone.She knew me too well.
“Walking away won’t solve anything, Christa.You’re in love with your husband.And from the looks of all the Stargazer lilies in your apartment and in the shop, he’s in love with you too.He’s at least trying to win you back.He’s fighting for his marriage, no matter how some things look.”
“What things?”
