The Unexpected

Chapter 35

The paternity test results came back and Christian is, of course, Alex's biological father. Today is the trial and I can't remember a time in my life when I've been more nervous. Marcia and Matt had to be here to testify as well because they were my witnesses so Tyler stayed back at home with Alex.

When the talking begins, I do everything in my power to avoid looking at Christian. But eventually, they call me to the stands to testify. After I am under oath, I am forced to look at him. "Do you know this man?" Janice asks.

I look into eyes and his lips curl into a smile. "Yes." I answer.

"How?"

"We dated my freshman year of college at Stanford." I say.

"And why are you no longer together?" She asks.

"He raped me."

She asks me about the night but of course she already knows. After telling my part of the story, they call Matt to the stand. He says the same thing he told her in her office the other day. Next they call Marcia to the stand. She tells them her place of employment and explains how she took me on as a patient and helped me. Before I know it, I am called to the stand again. "Do you understand that you are still under oath?" The judge asks.

"Yes, your honor."

"Besides the proof from the witnesses, do you have any other proof that Mr. Wright sexually assaulted you?" Janice asks.

"Yes, my son."

"Your honor, the plaintiff has taken her son to the clinic and gotten a paternity test done. The results show that Mr. Wright is the father."

The judge nods and the police officer grabs the papers and hands them to the judge. He puts on his glasses and looks over the results. "Where is the boy today?"

"He is not here due to the plaintiffs request." Janice answers.

"Do you have an up-to-date photo of the child?" The judge asks.

"Yes, your honor."

The judge takes the photo and projects it onto a big screen. People 'aww' before he takes away the photo. "Any more questions?"

"No, your honor."

They call the next woman up and she tells her story. Including me, there are seven women here who have been sexually assaulted by Christian. Only one of them was before me. Mallory Foster was the most recent one. She was the only one brave enough to take him to court.

When the women are all done testifying, there is a short break for the jury to agree on a verdict. The judge calls the room to attention using his gavel. "The jury has come to a verdict." The room falls deadly silent. "The jury has found the defendant, Christian David Wright, guilty for three counts of third degree rape, two counts of second degree rape, and two counts of first degree rape. The defendant shall spend life in prison without parole."

Standing, the judge slams his gavel down before leaving the room. Voices speak loudly throughout the room as the police officers begin dragging Christian away. "That little bastard is gonna be just like his daddy." Christian grins at me.

The woman police officer slams her elbow against his side and he groans, bending over in pain. She winks at me before shoving him through the doorway.

Marcia and Matt hold onto my hands as we leave the building. When we get outside, I take deep breathes. I can finally breathe. Knowing he is going to spend his life in prison lifts a weight off my shoulders. "You did great." Marcia says. "Now write yourself a new chapter and forget all about him. Just look at your future."

"We should celebrate." Matt smiles.

I shake my head. "I don't feel like going out. I'd like to stay in if you don't mind."

Marcia and Matt glance at each other. "Well can we take Alex out then?"

"I want to visit with him as much as possible before you guys leave." Marcia says.

I nod. "Of course. He loves you guys."

"Okay. I'll leave my keys just in case you guys want to go somewhere." Matt says. "Is Tyler a good driver?"

I nod. "Yeah."

"He can drive then. He looked so happy when he seen my moms car but he looked upset when I told him he couldn't drive my car."

I chuckle. "Thanks Matt."

Matt drives us home in his mothers car. I go inside and get Alex for them, kissing him goodbye. Matt gives me his keys before they leave. When I get inside, Tyler is laying in our bed staring up at the ceiling. "What was the verdict?" He asks.

I sit on the edge of the bed holding the keys. "Life without parole."

He nods then turns to look at me. "Are you okay?"

I nod. "I'm fine."

Leaning down, I press my lips to his. "Let's take a walk so we can talk."

I hold up the keys. "Matt gave you permission to drive his Audi. Your looks got to him."

He chuckles. "Then why are we still sitting here?"

We go downstairs and I give him the keys. He starts the car and takes out his phone. He puts it in the cup holder standing up so he can it while he drives. The car begins moving and I place my hand on his thigh, squeezing slightly. "Where are we going?" I ask.

He smiles at me before turning his eyes back to the road, occasionally glancing down at his phone. "It's a surprise."

After a while, he removes his right hand from the steering wheel and laces his fingers with mine. Raising our hands, he presses a kiss to the back of my hand. "I love you."

"I love you too." I smile.

He pulls into a parking garage and parks the car. I was too busy watching him that I didn't pay attention to where we were going. "Remember how I did that project on the Golden Gate Bridge?" He asks as we leave the parking garage. I nod. "Well, I did research on other things as well. Such as Alcatraz Island, Treasure Island, Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39."

He stops walking and looks ahead of us. There is a big sign that says 'PIER 39'. Behind it, there are a bunch of restaurants and little shops. I grin in excitement before pulling him along with me. We walk along the pier slowly, taking in our surroundings. When we get closer to the end, I stop. "Want to get on it?" He asks, wrapping his arms around me.

Nodding excitedly, we get in line to get on the San Francisco Carousel.

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