BEFORE DAWN

Chapter eighteen

This chapter has an emotional roller coaster.. So get a tissue will you?
I cried too...
Dora locked her gaze to the window of the car, it was a cold morning. The road was already busy judging from the fact that it was Monday and people needed to get to their place of work. For her it was her court hearing day.. Her arbitration.
It made her nauseous that she would be in the same room with Lawerent.
Thank God it was a private hearing.
'You know if you continue mumbling I might just hit my head on this steering wheel ' Jaden shook her shoulder.
' oh.. I'm sorry. I just.. I don't know what to expect. ' she sighed.
Jaden stopped the car, ' you will be fine my love. I'll be here.. No matter the decision made. He would have to get through me first.'
She could only nod her head.
' good. Now let's go before Samuel thinks something is wrong. '
Dora turned to him and kissed his cheek, ' I'm really grateful to you. I mean you have been so supporting and everything. I'm really a mess without you. '
Jaden chuckled, ' I know'. And starts driving.
Dora smiled again and turned back to th window. Jaden was right in a way, no matter what happens chimamanda is hers and there was no changing it. She was only worried about the reaction of her daughter when she finally meets her father.

The court house came into view as jaden parked the car. Samuel pulled in behind them.
' you ready? '
' yes. ' she gulped.
' remember what you have to say? ' jaden watched her with concern.
' yes. Let's just get over with this. '

The police van pulled over and lawerent came out shielded by the officers.
Thank God, his face was the last thing she needed to see.
Samuel came over with the girls and stood beside her.
' I could take them out if you want. '
Dora smiled at him, ' the judge asked for chimamanda. Trust me I also don't want her here. '
Samuel hugged her, ' it all ends today. You can do this. ' he pulled away ' you are the strongest person I know'.
She laughed, 'thank you so much. You have been the best big brother ever. '

Their lawyer was already seated when they piled in.
'Good morning everyone '
Lawerent wasn't in yet so it was a little comfortable. Chimamanda sat with Marianne looking a little distant.
' she's the one I suppose ' the lawyer pointed at her.
'Yes'.
He turned to Dora after looking at chimamanda.
' Mrs Dora you do understand why I asked for her to be here right? '
She nodded.
' lawerent has filed for custody over your daughter '.
This is a big joke right? He can't do that!
' he has no right!' Jaden barked.
' well he does in a way. I mean he is afterall the biological father of the girl. '
Dora sunk into the seat.
' he raped her, doesn't that count? '
The lawyer got up, ' it does and that is why I asked you to bring her along. You see we can't grant him custody of her but we could restrict him. I really don't know what they have up their sleeves but I assure you.. We will win this. ' he tried to assure us.

After much talks it was time for us to meet the judge and of course lawerent too.
The judge sat beside his clerk with papers scattered over the table.

'Please sit' he addressed them.
Lawerent walked in with the officers behind him. His head down as he sat down.
' today would be long so I suggest we all get prepared for it. I want to resolve and close this case as soon as possible. ' he turned to Dora,
' she's here right? '
Lawerent looked up almost immediately the words left the judges mouth.
Dora sighed, ' she is. '
' good now let's begin. Lawerent your lawyer is late. Why? '
The door opened and lawerent's lawyer walked in.
' I'm sorry. Traffic was bad.'
The judge nodded. ' let's begin '.
Lawerent turned to Dora for the first time since they entered the room.
His hooded eyes were burning into her. She looked away.
' Mrs Dora I have a few questions for you. '
Dora snapped.
' the first one, you mentioned earlier last month during the first hearing that lawerent was always at your house even when your parents were alive? '
' yes? '
' so may I ask why you never bothered to report him for his sexual harassment on you. I mean if you weren't enjoying it you should have told them. ' he stared at her.

This is rubbish and what were they trying to do.

Dora was speechless at first.
' he wasn't bothering me at first.. I mean when they were alive. He.. He was nice. ' she choked.
Jaden squeezed her thighs.

' may I ask what your purpose is for asking this? The judge asked.
Lawerent's lawyer got up an unbuttoned his suit.
' you see my lord. This woman claimed that my client had raped her but she just admitted they were friends. Tell me how possible it would have been. ' he stopped in front of the judge.
' Infact this could only mean they were lovers and was fully aware of what was happening. '

Something seemed to spark in Dora's head.
' that's a lie! I would never have been in a relationship with this monster!. ' tears were forming in her eyes.

' please be calm madam. '
Jaden kept holding her down. His eyes never leaving lawerent.
If only looks could kill.

' my second question. Why didn't you tell your brother about the so called rape the next morning. And also why didn't you tell lawerent you had a child for him? '.
Dora's lawyer spoke up, ' this is ridiculous. My lord.. '
' please answer the question Mrs Dora. ' the judge stopped him.

' I felt horrible, used and humiliated. I couldn't possibly tell my brother his best friend had raped me. They were both drunk and he wouldn't believe a word I said. ' she turned to lawerent, disgust on her face.
' it was the hardest thing I had ever done. I had to leave my family because I felt I was an embarrassment to them. '
The tears flowed freely now.

The room was quiet for a while before Lawerent's lawyer spoke. ' that's the last question my lord. ' he sat down.

Dora hated herself, she felt weak and helpless all over again.
' you did well. ' jaden squeezed her hand and kissed her.

' we will go on an hour recess now. ' the judge got up and left the room.
Jaden got up and took Dora's hand.

' you know you are a little weaker than I thought. Dora you have no idea what I can do' lawerent chulcked leaving the room with his lawyer.