The Judge's Daughter

Prologue

Prologue- 4 months earlier

“Has the jury reached a verdict?” Judge Matthews asked.

“We have your honor,” Jury Number 1 answered. “On the count of murder in the first-degree, we find the defendant…guilty.”

The court room erupted in cheers and murmurs of satisfaction. Judge Matthews slammed his wooden gavel on the sound block calling the room back to order. “Joseph Stenberg, you have been found guilty amongst your peers. Sentencing will be held two weeks from tomorrow. Court is adjourned.”

Madeline was sitting in the back of the court room, watching the son say goodbye to his father. When she first met the man, she always had the urge to run, but since he was her fiancé’s father, she made sure to never be left alone with him. She watched as Derek gave his father a man hug and then turn and walk toward her. The look on his face told her that he was not happy. The way his jaw clenched together, hands balled into fists and then released once again. The rapid rise and fall of his chest had Madeline standing immediately, before he reached her.

Derek grabbed her arm in a death grip, not saying a word as he led them out of the room, down the hall, and out into the beautiful afternoon breeze. Madeline fought the urge to pull her arm away, but the thought of him striking her in public had her biting her tongue and clenching her unoccupied hand into a fist against the pain.

When they reached Madeline’s car, Derek yanked the keys out of her hands and basically threw her at the passenger side door. Without a word, Madeline pulled the door open and managed to get in before Derek sped off and out of the parking lot. She watched as he jumped on the interstate and the speedometer kept climbing passed 85 mph.

“Honey, could you please slow down?” she asked, her voice shaking and frightened.

He slammed his hand down on the steering wheel, making her jump and cowers toward the door. “Shut up!” he shouted. His right hand left the wheel and connected with the side of her head. The force of the hit resulted in Madeline’s head hitting the window hard enough to make black spots appear in her line of vision.

Madeline was used to these sorts of things. He used to never hit her constantly until a few months ago when he proposed. She tried to leave him so many times before, but he always found her, or threatened the lives of the ones she loved the most. She was brought back from her thoughts when Derek slammed on the breaks, brining the car to a complete stop on the side of the road. Madeline put her hand on the dash board to stop herself from hitting it head on.

“Get out,” he said in a calm and quiet voice.

Madeline stared at him like he was crazy. “Derek, we’re on the outside of town. It would take hours until I got home,” she said trying to reason with him. There was no way he would kick her out of her own car and make her walk all the way through town to the other side where her apartment is located.

“I am serious,” he stated. He turned slowly toward her. His face and voice held no emotion as he stared down at the woman he never loved. Madeline held certain opportunities out of her reach that benefited in everything he wanted, but now things have changed. “It’s over,” he said as he reached toward her and took her ring off of her finger. “Get the hell out of this car and out of my life!” He reached across her and opened the door. Derek sat waiting for her to get out, but when she made no move to leave, he pushed her out, making her roll a few times, and sped away.

Madeline couldn’t believe what just happened. Of course she never truly loved the man, but no one else would look at her. She was slightly bigger than average, with a much larger chest then the other girls around. She was average height, around five feet-seven inches. Her dark brown hair couldn’t be any duller; hanging passed her shoulder with no life in it. Her hazel eyes were so full of life and happiness, but once Derek set his teeth into her, all of those feelings and emotions were gone.

The sound of a car horn pulled her out of her thoughts. She stood up slowly, brushing the dirt from her pants and shirt. She turned toward town and began her long journey home, rubbing her stomach for reassurance.