Five Words

Chapter 26

~Ace

Two years earlier...

The pain in my head is gradually building up as I open my eyes. White is all I see. White sheets. White walls. White lamps. White nightstand. White light. White door.

I look around, taking in the place I am in right now. I feel the cold metal around my wrist, reminding me that I am not free and that this is not just a fucked-up dream. I look to the side and see two men standing outside my room holding guns in their hands.

I don't remember how I ended up here. I don't know why I am at a hospital. Surely, I lost my consciousness, and part of me has been hoping that I was going to die because, after Sarah's lies, I don't think that anyone will believe anything I have to say. It has been our word against everyone's, but she changed that making it my word against hers, and definitely no one will stand by me.

I am reminded of the pain that she has greatly caused me by lying to all those people. The judge. The jury. My mom. My dad. My lawyer. My friends.

Why did she lie to them? What happened to us? What happened to our promises? What happened to our love? What did I do that night?

It is driving me crazy how I can't remember one single detail of that night. After I gave her the promise ring, everything goes blank. I know that I couldn't have possibly argued with Sarah about talking to Daniel. Daniel has been in her life even after I told her that I didn't want her meeting him. She claimed that he was her best friend long before they became lovers. I somehow overcame my jealousy and I didn't bring up the subject ever again. So when she walks into court today and state that I raped her out of anger because she was talking to Daniel when I have long accepted their relationship is completely absurd.

The door clicks, and I turn my head and prepare myself to be taken back to that hellhole. But instead of police officers, my parents walk into the room with the lawyer.

My lawyer is disappointed.

My mother is heartbroken, in pain.

My father is disgusted.

Each of their expressions has a different effect on me. Each of their expressions breaks me in a different way.

My lawyer speaks first.

"Ace, tomorrow they will decide whether you're innocent or guilty, and it bothers me to tell you that it most probably will be the latter."

"They will still decide?" My dad speaks, "It has been already decided. Everybody heard what Sarah said in court and that little stunt you pulled in court will not help you."

"Harold!" My mother gasps.

"Stunt? You think I did this on purpose?" I force myself to speak.

Does he not know me at all? His son.

"I don't think. I know that you did this on purpose. Look at you." He raises his hands in the air, "You are perfectly fine. This will not buy you time and it will certainly not help you win the jury's side."

"I don't even know what the hell happened in there!" I defend myself.

"Sure." He rolls his eyes.

"Why are you acting like this? Don't you know me at all?"

"Honey, he is just confused and shocked. It has been a long day." My mother tells me sweetly, but I know that this is not the case.

"Confused? Paulina, our son is a rapist."

My mom shakes her head vigorously. I grimace when he uses this word to describe me. I have been called a rapist by everyone, but not in a million years would I have ever thought that my father would call me a rapist. I have never thought that he will believe everyone's words but mine.