Spotlight on the Mirror

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Seven weeks and three days later, they stood in the courtroom for the last time. The jury only deliberated for four hours before returning with a verdict. Everyone was nervous including Wanda. Holliday wanted Wanda to pay for all the shit that she had done to Natasha so bad that it was becoming a factor in her own personal life. The time that Holliday spent with Wanda only drove her to feel more intensive hatred because she also knew the depth of Wanda's black soul. Holliday wanted to hate her for Natasha but secretly, she hated Wanda for her own personal reasons. Holliday didn't even realized that she had blocked out her environment until she felt a small cold hand slide into hers. She looked up out of surprise to confirm that Natasha was holding her hand. Since Natasha was focused on the current surroundings, Holliday decided not to make a big deal of it and lightly squeezed her hand in return. Madison looked down and smiled. Since she was on the other side of Holliday, Madison just threw up the X. Natasha gave a genuine smile then turned back around to face the judge.

The bailiff provided Judge Howard with a note from the jury. She carefully read it and nodded before handing the note back to the bailiff. A older black gentleman, acting as the presiding juror, took the note and proceeded to read the counts.

As Natasha tightly squeezed Holliday's hand, Holiday made an invisible X on the back of her hand. That small gesture caused Natasha to relax her grip. Madison wrapped her arm around Holliday's waist and waited for the verdict. Holliday's nerves were bad but they all knew that this situation had branded them for life. Regardless of the outcome, they would remain friends and sisters forever.

With one more look at the anxiously anticipating Wanda, Holliday prepared to hear the worse and expected that Wanda would eventually be paroled.

Wanda was found guilty of so many crimes that Holliday lost count. Every time the charges were read, Wanda received another guilty verdict. Holliday felt Natasha tremor every time the word "guilty" was said.

Wanda started to scream, "No!" and had to be restrained. Her screams shook the entire courtroom and Holliday almost leaped over the table and choked her out. How dare she express any type of negative emotion after what she had done to Natasha. She sat there for weeks pretending like she was the one that had been wronged but now she wanted to play the devastated victim.

How dare she!

Was all Holliday could think. Madison quickly tapped her shoulder obvious to Holliday's feelings towards Wanda. The message in her eyes reminded Holliday that it was all about Natasha. Madison slowly and carefully mouthed the words, "Fuck her." Holliday wanted to laugh but instead, just smiled at her best friend. They both focused back on Natasha and noticed that she stood as still as a statue. Mrs. Hemsworth was whispering something in her ear but Natasha remained frozen still.

After the verdict was read, everyone faced Judge Howard. Her coal black hair was pulled into a tight bun which gave her face a stern frown. She remained quiet while searching Wanda's face for any remorse. Of course, there was none because Wanda was too distraught that she had been found guilty.

As Judge Howard stared deeply at Wanda, she stated in a distasteful but firm tone, "As a judge for 25 years, I've seen a lot of criminals and bad people but you, Wanda Dole, are the worst person that I've ever seen in my courtroom. You were given the blessing of having a healthy, beautiful, and gifted daughter but you used and abused her for your own selfish and sick desires. You ruined her and she will forever carry the trauma endured by you. I'm not negating that you may have experience your own type of abuse but instead of giving your daughter a better childhood, you subjected her to a even worse environment. You've done things that most people in this room can't even begin to fathom in their imagination. You had one job as a mother and that was to protect your daughter at all cost. You failed but not only that, you placed her in danger and couldn't care less about her well-being. You made horrible decision after horrible decision. How you got away with the crap that you did is beyond me. But it stops today. You've been found guilty of multiple crimes which is well deserved. You are hereby committed to prison for the rest of your natural life without any possibility of parole. Understand that you will take your last breath behind bars. I'm also ordering a no contact ban for life in regards to Natasha Dole or anyone affiliated with her. You are not to speak of Natasha Dole or this case for a profit in any sense. Your days of using your daughter to financially support you ends today as well. Wanda Dole, you will be provided with treatment for your own demons but know that only God can forgive you now. This trial has officially concluded and court is dismissed."