Aurora Costello.

Chapter 22.

Trigger warning, heavy topics in this chapter.

"Ok ms Costello, let's get down to business. What was your childhood like?" The defence questioned

"Horrible, they made my whole life a living hell from the day they kidnapped me" I say

"Ok and did you ever take any drugs?" He asked "remember you're under oath." He finished

"I did, but that was because my ex manipulated me into taking them, which has nothing to do with this case." I said confidently

"I'll be the judge of that" he replied with a scoff

"Objection! Argumentative" my lawyer spoke up

"Sustained, stay on topic councillor" the judge said

"Sorry your honor; Aurora were you ever aggressive towards your mother?"

"She's not my mother, and no." I replied shortly peaking at mama as she gave me a soft smile

"Ahh okay so if they were as aggressive as you claim them to have been why did you never fight back?"

"Because I waited my turn, bided my time. The day for punishment would come" I said

"And then you got sick of your father taking your drugs so you made up a story about your parents abusing you and selling drugs to minors so they would get arrested and you'd be free of them." He stated

"No that's-" I began

"And when you had finalised your plan you became aggressive and authoritative against your parents" he continued "so much so that mark got sick of your behaviour when you where high so he took your stash and slapped you as a once in a lifetime punishment which you used as motive to call the police"

What the fuck?

"Huh no I -" I was interrupted again.

"My clients are innocent your honor, this devil is spinning lies to get out of the truth" he carried on

My blood is beginning to boil

"No i-" he interrupted me for the third time

"No more questions your honor." He concluded with a disgusting smirk on his face.

I had a look around the room, the judge had a face of stone no emotions whatsoever, I looked at my family and they all had pity mixed with fury in their eyes, my six all looking pissed and as I looked at Leo and Lucas they both looked right back at me with shock in their eyes.

Turning from them I looked at the jury, some of them looked at me with anger and frustration whereas the others looked at me with sympathy and pity.

I hated all the emotions I was beginning to feel and I could feel my heart begin to squeeze tightly. My palms beginning to sweat and my eyes began to blur. Taking in a deep breath and clenching my fists I count to ten.

1 - I shouldn't have to be here
2 - if my parents where so powerful why couldn't they find me
3 - I have a bad feeling
4 - is this a panic attack
5 - the way my heart feels is no panic attack
6 - shall I speak about Pietro and my baby
7 - I have to do this
8 - I can do this
9 - I will do this

...

10 - let's do this.

"Ok councillor I'd like to hear aurora testify." The judge called breaking me out of my breathing techniques.

"Aurora, take to the stand"

I stood and stepped forward and moved the mic to my mouth.

"I Urm" I coughed, my throat feeling as dry as sand all of a sudden. Come on Rory step one.