The Romantic Turnabout [EdgeworthxOC]

34. The Turnabout Truth (3)

During the court session, Kay Faraday assisted Miles with the case. It came to a point where it was up to Miles to either go through with proving Rachael guilty, or to ease off.

"You have to prove her guilty, Miles!" Kay hissed.

Miles gritted his teeth, as he stared down at the forged evidence. "I can't do that."

"If you don't do it, then Ciel will hurt her!" She cried. "Do this for Rachael! To protect her!"

Miles pondered Kay's statement for a moment. But how could I be protecting Rachael by sending her to jail...?

Miles' conscious ate away at him. But Kay insisted, slamming her hands on the desk. "Listen! You are acting very pathetic, right now! Give her the guilty verdict, or else Ciel will kill her!"

Miles eyes slowly averted to Kay. "...how do you know about that?"

Kay's eyes lit up with astonishment. "...because..." Quickly, she glanced away, holding her arms. "...it's written all over his face."

Miles glanced at Ciel, who's eyes twinkled with evil.

"...as a thief, I can recognize when someone is bloody thirsty."

...she's right. Miles thought. If I even decide to change the plan, he already knows what he'll do to Rachael.

Looking straight ahead at the defense, he made his choice.

I'm sorry, Rachael. But I don't want to lose you.

Miles proceeded with the final evidence he needed to determine the fate of this case.

Miles hoped deep down inside, that Apollo had a plan up his sleeve to prevent Rachael from being guilty. But when he heard Apollo's next statement, it shattered him.

"My defendant, Rachael Moore, has pleaded guilty."

"...what?" Miles mumbled.

"What?!" Kay gawked, dumbfounded by the plot twist.

Miles stared at Rachael, with a blank mind that no longer had a clue on what to do next.

Apollo tried to reason with Rachael, but her head remained down, without a hint of regret in her words.

Miles couldn't look away, nor could he say a word.

...did I just...break...Rachael?

Rachael obediently got in the handcuffs that were strapped around her wrists, being led away. Walking out, she gave Miles a look of despair and loathing spirit.

He didn't know what she thought at that moment, but Miles felt a crushing pulse from the gaze he received from her.

...Rachael...why did you just give in?

After the dismissal, Miles packed up his belongings.

"Good job, Miles!" Fay cheered. "Now Rachael won't have to worry about anything!"

Miles ignored Fay, stepping into the lobby to take his leave.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

"I need to go and see Rachael—"

"Ah, Mr. Edgeworth." Ciel walks up to Miles, folding his arms. "It's great to see you in person, working in court." He grins. "What an adventure!"

Miles glared at the man. "I did what you asked. Now leave us alone."

"What? But I haven't even gotten the chance to pay you yet."

Miles' eyes lit up. Gritting his teeth, he continued walking. "I don't need your money."

"It's the law to pay an attorney, if they win their client's case. And you meet that criteria." Ciel chuckled.

"I don't care."

"Why are you being so stubborn?!" Kay hissed into Miles' ear. "Just take it, and be done with it!"

Miles gritted his teeth once more.

Holding his hand out, Ciel offered a check to Miles.

Miles snatched it from Ciel, shoving it into his folder.

Ciel was thoroughly intrigued by the prosecutor's behavior.

Slowly getting into Miles face, Ciel smirked. "Don't even try to bail Rachael out yourself."

Miles balled his fists.

Ciel brought his lips to the prosecutor's ear. "Oh, and I was never planning on killing her." Tapping his shoulder, Ciel backed away, and led Kay away.

"Come on Kay, let's go." Ciel takes her hand.

"W-Where are we going???"

"Away from here, before something bad happens."

"Huh...?"

Taking the girl into a hallway, Ciel turned to look at her.

"You did very well."

Kay glanced up at Ciel, who gave her a satisfying smile.

Ciel hugged her from behind, causing Kay to blush. "Now you can have Miles all to yourself. You're welcome." Ciel departed from the girl, leaving her stunned.

"We'll keep in contact." Ciel waves goodbye.

"Miles...all to myself?" Kay mumbled. "Why does it almost seem like a catch, now?"

Miles exited the courthouse, dazed. His mind was empty, and it was hard for him to process any thoughts.

One thought was for sure, though.

I betrayed Rachael...

The sheer thought was enough to make Miles slap his hand to his mouth. He felt nauseous, and he wanted to cry.

"...I went through all that struggle to make sure that Rachael would be safe, and that she wouldn't get hurt...and I fell for it?" He mumbled. "It was a trap all along...?"

Miles couldn't handle the pain he felt, and immediately fled.

He didn't know what to do, or what to think. At that point,

he was heartbroken.

Getting in his vehicle, Miles hurried to an isolated area. Pulling out his phone, he made an urgent phone call.

"H-Hello...?"

"Pearly..." Miles began. "...please, can you help me?"