Secret Love

Chapter 33

"All metal, electronics, and jewelry into the bin. Hands above your head when you walk through the metal detector." Janet and Toni took off their jewelry and put their phones into the bins before walking through the metal detector. Janet got out of the hospital a week ago, after staying there for about two weeks, but still had to wear some protective padding. The trial for Keri and Rene had started as well as Wissam's. Despite Janet not wanting to press charges, the state decided to bring him up on some; including breaking and entering, and rape. "Okay, ma'am I'm going to need to pull you over here for a pat-down." The officer spoke to Janet. He checked her for any suspicious items. "I'm going to need you to lift your shirt to confirm the size of your stomach." Janet lifted her shirt and showed her baby bump. She had started to show a lot more while in the hospital. "Okay, you're clear."

"Thank you." Toni and Janet went into the room and sat at the table. The door buzzed and Wissam walked in wearing an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. He sat down in front of them and the officer attached his chains to the tabletop and the leg. His hair was disheveled and he had some bruises on his face.

"What happened to you?" asked Toni.

"Some of the guys overheard what I was in here for and they cornered me in the yard." His lip was busted, his eye was blue, and his cheek was swollen.

"That's horrible," said Janet.

"I know but this is my punishment and I'm okay with it." Janet shook her head.

"Wissam..."

"I know. I know. You forgive me but I haven't forgiven myself. I'm working on it."

"Good." He looked up at them.

"How's the baby?"

"Oh yeah. They wouldn't let me give you the news but we found out the gender of the baby." He got excited.

"Oh really. What is it?" His eyes got excited.

"Twin boys." Janet handed him the ultrasound pictures and tears filled his eyes.

"Wow!"

"I know. I was shocked too."

"T-Toni how do you feel?"

"I'm excited. I was hoping for at least one girl but blessings are blessings," said Toni.

"Good. Good."

"We'll make sure to come and visit to keep you updated about the babies," said Janet.

"That's great." The women felt a shift in his energy.

"What's wrong, Wissam?" asked Toni. He cleared his throat.

"Listen, the trial isn't going well. Keri and Rene are still in the middle of theirs but mine is getting closer to an end and my lawyer says it's not looking good."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He's guessing..." He took a deep breath. "......30 years to life." The women were stuck.

"That's ridiculous," said Toni.

"I know."

"What if I testify and say that I have forgiven you and I understand the circumstances in which you did what you did?"
"It won't work. You didn't give consent, you were asleep when I came in, and because I did what Keri and Rene told me to do, they are saying that I was conspiring with them, even though I was blackmailed."

"That's dumb. You were obviously coerced into doing it." said Janet.

"Yeah, but they are arguing that I could've gone to the police but the thing is, I'm not upset. This is my punishment for my decisions. This leads me to my next point."