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“Miss Reed, during your interview with the police, you said my client spent the night with you.”
“I lied.”
Everyone present gasps, and some start whispering. The judge bangs the gavel demanding silence.
“I wanted to protect Damien, so I agreed to lie for him,” Penelope explains, crushing the remaining chances Damien had to win this case down. “But I’ve realized I can’t lie under oath.”
“Penelope, this isn’t–” Damien snaps at her, but the judge interferes.
“Mr. Alarie, you’re not allowed to speak now.”
“You wanted to use me, Damien. I’m glad that I’ve opened my eyes before it was too late!” Penelope breaks, shouting. “I was just a toy for you while you were chasing after her!”
My blood runs cold when Penelope gives me a spiteful look.
It’s me. He’ll go to jail because of me.
My heart is pumping like crazy, and I feel dizzy. Penelope’s words keep ringing in my ears, banging like a sledgehammer, and it feels like my head is about to explode.
“Miss Reed, you can’t talk to the defendant directly.” The judge objects, but it’s all like a blur to me.
“I apologize, Your Honor.”
“Mr. Clarke, do you have any more questions for the witness?” The judge looks at Damien’s Defense Attorney, who shakes his head no.
“No further questions, Your Honor.”
“Mr. DeLuca, the witness is yours.”
My father nods knowingly before he stands up, fixing his tailored blazer, “Miss Reed, so you claim you have no knowledge of what the defendant was doing the night of 15th of August 2021?”
“No. I do not know what Damien Alarie was doing that night.” Penelope answers. How can she be so calm? I’m about to lose my mind.
“And did Damien Alarie ask you to give false testimony to his favor?”
“Yes.”
I see the jury whispering, and everyone looks at Damien assumingly. Not even his Defense Attorney knows what to do. I can’t let them plead Damien guilty. They’ll lock him up. My heart is beating so hard and fast I’m pretty sure one more minute of this torment, and it’ll jump out of my chest.
“Your Honor, Penelope wasn’t with Damien that night because…,” I stand for my seat and talk faster than I think. Everyone turns to look at me, but the only thing I can notice is my father’s face which goes pale as soon as he realizes it’s me. “He spent the night with… me.”
I hear gasps across the stuffy courtroom. Even Damien looks like he’s just seen the ghost. I start shaking, suffocating.What have I done?It was an impulse. I didn’t think it through. It may ruin my father, but… save the man I love.
“Who are you, Miss?” The judge scans my face.
Before I speak, I give my father an apologetic look and mouth, “I’m sorry,” knowing my actions will have the most severe consequences.
“My name is Avalyne DeLuca, Your Honor.” I start hesitantly but soon enough regain control over my trembling body, and I continue, more firmly, “I’m the daughter of D.A. Walter DeLuca. Damien Alarie asked Penelope Reed to lie for him because of me. He wanted to protect me. He knew my father was against our relationship because it was a conflict of interest.”
The judge bangs the gavel repeatedly as the whole courtroom seems agitated. The gasps and whispers don’t seem to end. People stare at me, giving me indignant looks while whispering, but I don’t care. I lift my chin, proud that I just stood up for the man I’ve fallen for so hard that I’m ready to surrender my life, everything I know, to be with him.
After my unexpected confession, the judge orders a 15-minute break, only to postpone the trial due to new evidence. I don’t have a chance to see Damien again. As soon as we leave the courtroom, my father runs to me, grabs my elbow while clenching his teeth, and drags me to his car.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done, Avalyne?!” Dad shouts as we enter the main hall of our mansion. His blue eyes turn black with rage. “The judge wants to pull me off this case because of you! Not to mention, now you’re involved!”
“Dad, I’m sorry.”But am I?
“No, Avalyne! You’re not sorry.” He’s seething. “You’ve just mixed yourself with the most dangerous mafia family across Florida. Hell, maybe even across the whole US.” He cups his face with his hands, sighing frustratedly before turning back to me. “You wanted trouble? Well, it’s at your front door. I hope you’re happy.”
