𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓

LIII. A Case You Won't Forget

   Chapter 53, A Case You Won't Forget
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    Trigger Warnings: Mentions of some verbal abuse, gaslighting and Victim-blaming.
    Do not read if it is triggering, I will be making two comments to notify when it starts and ends like I did last time.

   Do not read if it harms you, I don't want you to feel unsafe of uncomfortable.
   Remember, you're appreciated, supported and loved by all here.

   This is a safe space.

   Happy Reading!

    " You killed me, you just don't want to accept the fact that I'm happier than I'll ever be with my father than with my own mother! "

   ~ Scarlett's POV ~

      We arrived in front of the courthouse and I was trying to calm myself down, Alana grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze of reassurance.
   I smiled softly at her as we entered the courthouse, our lawyer was there with a bright smile on their face.

    "Wow, you've grown big Scarlett!"

  Our lawyer, Jenson, exclaimed as they hugged my tightly.
   I let out a soft chuckle before hugging them back, they were so sweet to be around if I'm honest.

  
     Soon it was time to get started, I stood by my father until I was called to the stand.
  I got in the box and sat down, taking a deep breath and mentally preparing myself for questions.

   "Scarlett is a minor with zero control on who she stays with, which means she should go with her mother."

    My mom's lawyer said, my heart dropped a little but I had to keep a brave face.
   This just started, this didn't mean it was going to end with her winning.

   The hours flew by of arguing, it was now my mother's turn to be in the box.
  I had a lot of questions to ask, I knew they were just going to reopen wounds that were recently closed but I was prepared for it.

     "What's the point in wanting me back, I left happily with my father."

   I began as I stood up and walked away from my father, I walked up to the box.
  The judge wanted to see where this was going so he allowed me to continue, I sighed as she looked at me.

   "You're my daughter."

   As if that would change my perspective, I looked at her with sadness.

   "Well I'm his daughter too!"

I began, tears threatened to fell but I ignored them.
 
   "Don't you dare raise your voice at me, I am your mother for God's sake!"

  She shouted at me, standing up from her seat.
   I clenched my jaw and looked at her, I had little to no confidence in myself but I needed her to understand me for once.

  "WELL HE'S MY FATHER!"

I argued.

  Everything in me was just overwhelming, I had adrenaline rushing through my veins as if I had drugs in my system.
  I walked up to her, slamming my hands on the wooden barrier.

   I caused her to flinch, I looked at her in her eyes.
   All I saw was the same little girl begging and pleading to be seen as a daughter and not some disappointment.

   "I've spent my life afraid of you, DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID TO ME!?

    I shouted at her, I backed away from her and walked to the judge with tears streaming down my face.
  I was prepared to tell everything, I didn't want to be her daughter anymore and she was about to know that.

  "Scarlett, elaborate. What did your mother put you through?"

  The judge asked curiously, I sighed and looked away.
   I wiped my tears away and looked at him once more.

    "I was either too skinny, too overweight, too dumb, too smart or too ugly."

   I squeaked out, my hands were shaking as I looked at my mother.
  Everything was coming back to me now and I was just starting, I just wanted to go home.

   "It started two years ago, December 15th, 2020."

    I rolled up my sleeves and looked at the judge, I tried a weak smile but I only had a straight face.
  My heart was racing as I thought about the memories flooding my mind.

   "After I was bullied into trying to be skinny, my mother blamed me. She said it was my fault I was the way I was."

   My voice cracked, I didn't move from my spot though.
   I stood in front of the judge, I was going to tell my story the correct way.

   "Do you know what it's like to be thirteen, having body issues and your mother comes to your room after skipping meals and all she says is 'you need makeup to cover those flaws'?"

    I asked, nobody seemed to interrupt me.
I continued the same story that involved Layla.

   "I never said that Scarlett, you know that!"

     My mother rejected my words, not wanting to feel like she was in the wrong.
  I looked at her with anger, I wasn't about to let her get away with this.

   "You did! You told me that I would never amount to anything special since I wasn't attractive!"

    I couldn't force myself to be calm, I found myself walking over to her.
   My mother got out of the chair and walked over to me.

    "You're ungrateful, you're the reason why your father and I fell out of love!"

    My mother screamed at me, my heart shattered into a million pieces.
  I didn't have anything else to say, I walked over to my father and held onto him.

   "Mr. Delmonico, explain to me what happened to Scarlett's hand?"

   I had totally forgot about that, I looked down at my hand and back up at my father.
  He couldn't answer because he didn't even notice at all.

   "I had sliced it when I was showering, my father was downstairs waiting for me."

   I answered nonchalantly, I had wiped my tears and looked at the judge.
   My mother laughed as if she had won the world cup and smiled, I looked away from her and back at my father.

  
"I only wanted the best for you sweetheart, you made up all those things in your little pretty head."
   
   My mother lied to me straight up, I felt goosebumps.

  " You killed me, you just don't want accept the fact that I'm happier with my father than I am with my own mother! "

   I shared with her and the judge and whoever else gave a damn, the judge grabbed his gavel and banged it on his desk.
   Catching everyone's attention, he looked at me.

   "I've come to a conclusion,"

  The judged began, he looked at everyone before continuing his sentence.

   "Scarlett's permanent parent and guardian will be..."