THE WOUND

Chapter 25

It was raining, soft droplets falling lightly on my body making the clothes damp on contact. The ground was now caked with a light covering of wet sand. The combined smell of rain and sand was addicting. Jim kept jumping on the wet pedwalk, splashing the water on my jeans.

"You got any call yet?" Matt asked me.

I didn't need to ask what he was talking about. Since a week, I have received no calls or messages from Aaron or his lawyer. Today was our first court meeting and we were standing outside the family court.

"No. Do you know when our case will be heard?" I asked him.

"In another ten minutes. I saw Herald so Aaron must be here somewhere"

My anger instantly came back. I could never forgive that man for what he did. He actually accused me of adultery, questioned his son's birth and what more? He never apologised for what he did. Not that any apologies would ever matter to me but still, his ignorance of the truth showed the height of his arrogance.

Why did I marry him?

It was still painful to accept the truth, that I could never throw him out of my life entirely. There will always be some part of him with me. Our son, our past and our marriage will always push the dagger deeper into my heart. It didn't hurt physically but I could take physical pain to mental helplessness anytime.

Matt was as usual a wonderful friend and he understood me like no one else. However, I could never use him for my own advantage. He had to find his own love, his own family and I knew it wasn't me.

I wasn't alone. I had my son. I had my two amazing friends. Cassie and Matt who did everything they could do help me. Cassie's friend Dan Cohen was my lawyer. He was doing his best to get me my son's custody. My case was strong now.

After five minutes, we were called inside the court. Cassie had come as well. She took Jim and sat where the court official asked them to.  I took Matt's hand and said, "You can go now. I know you have work to do. Please Matt you promised you will go as soon as the hearing starts."

"I lied. I called in sick in the morning" he said.

I gritted my teeth and kept silent. The hearing began, my lawyer spoke his side of the case and the Judge looked at Herald for his part. Herald, who had a folder in his hand, walked over to the Judge and handed over the folder.

The Judge frowned and asked, "What is this?"

Herald shook his head in a nod and said, "This is a letter written and signed by my client Mr. Aaron Cole. Cole says that he is giving the custody of his son to his wife."

I stood up in surprise and excitement. Matt forced me to sit. Herald continued, "Mr. Cole further adds that he is transferring 99% shares of his company to his son and his wife. He says he will never trespass their house or interfere in their business. From here on, I will have no contact with .."

Herald stopped and threw the letter on the desk. He then turned his head to look at me.

"One mistake...one mistake is all he did and this is what you give him. All because of one mistake that anyone could do."

Before I could say something, he left the court. Matt cursed. I stood up and went to take the letter. I read the contents and felt my anger spike even more than before.

How dare he act like an innocent person?! I knew better.