Scenes From a Soap Opera

Freedom

Billy was sitting in a dark brown suit on the 3rd day of his murder trial. Amanda was trying her best, but Victor's people had done an excellent job with their framework. Christine stood up about to call her next witness when the doors burst open. Everyone turned to see a crazed looking Victoria Newman storm into the courtroom.

"It was me! I killed Ashland Locke!" The courtroom gasped at her confession. The judge was banging his gavel in a frenzy. Billy stood up in disbelief. 'What was she doing?' He wondered. 'Where was Victor?'

Jill was staring at her former daughter-in-law in disbelief. Where the hell was this coming from?

"Ms. Newman, I understand that the defendant is your ex-husband." Judge Brady began.

"I'm not lying!" She screamed; desperation evident in her voice. "I killed Ashland Locke. I met him at Chancellor Park with a gun. I fired two shots into his chest. I watched him bleed out." She explained to the stunned courtroom.

"And you sat on this information?!" Jill screamed from the gallery. Billy groaned in embarrassment.

"Your honor" Amanda stood up from behind her table. "In light of this confession, I'd like for the charges against my client to be dismissed."

"Objection your honor!" Christine shot up ready to argue.

The judge slammed his gavel. "Nice try Ms. Sinclair. I'm not dismissing anything until I hear some more evidence. I am going to declare a mistrial. I thank the jury for their service. You are dismissed." He smiled as the twelve Genoa City residents left the courtroom, buzzing over the latest drama. After they left the judge turned his attention back to Victoria, "Ms. Newman I'm going to give you thirty minutes to call your attorney to meet you down here. I believe the police will want to speak to you." He left the courtroom shortly after.

Billy practically ran over to Victoria, Jill following him. "Victoria what were you thinking?" He was stunned that not only did she remember, but that she came running down here to save him. He guessed a part of her still cared for him after all.

"I was thinking that you didn't deserve to pay for something that I did. Our children don't deserve having their father in prison." Victoria stated like it was a simple fact.

"But they deserve their mother?" Billy really questioned her logic. "Vic, come on, our kids need you a hell of a lot more than they need me. And besides this is my karma for all the things I put you through. You suffered so much because of me. This is the least I could do for you."

"Billy, that's ancient history. Really you don't owe me anything." She grabbed his hands. "I mean it, you owe me nothing."

"Does Victor know you're here?"

Victoria bitterly scoffed, alarming Billy. "I don't know and I don't care. After what he did to you, I really don't care." Jill stared in confusion then the pieces clicked together, that bastard.

"So you know then?"

"Of course I know. Once my memories returned and I put everything together, there was only one explanation." Victoria released a heavy sigh and started pacing. "I'm so sorry that he did this to you. I'm telling the police too. I'm tired of protecting him, whatever happens to him he deserves. It's long overdue."

Billy was about to say something when Michael Baldwin came storming in huffing like he had just been in a ten-round fight. "Excuse me, I need a word with my client." He quickly grabbed Victoria so they could talk in private. "Tell me everything right now."

Amanda walked over so she could confer with hers. "I hate to ask, but I have to. Did you put her up to this?"

Billy looked offended, "No I didn't put her up to this. I would never ask Victoria to sacrifice herself for me. Our kids need her, her family needs her."