Conspiracies

24. A new day.

To my surprise, I wasn't nervous at all. I was determined, moved by a feeling of justice, not revenge. I just wanted to give justice to those who deserved it, and if that meant testifying against my husband, I was totally up for it. I went up to the dais with confidence and the official approached me with the bible in his hand. I had a feeling that this wasn't going to be the last time I did it.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God?"

"I do."

I sat up and looked around the room. It was a closed-door trial. So there were only teams of lawyers and witnesses. Right in front of me was Lasse. I looked at him. This time I felt something different. I wasn't afraid of him. Nor grudge. Just indifference. I no longer saw the man I had married. I no longer saw the man with whom I had shared a life, a mutual love, a son. I only saw a stranger who was never going to hurt me again.

"Mrs. Madson, how did you meet your husband?" The question surprised me. I expected it to go straight for the jugular.

"I met him in a park at the university where I studied. He asked me for directions. He was holding a map and I helped him find the place." I explained. 

A wave of emotions suddenly overwhelmed me accompanied by infinite memories. Melancholy filled my body and mind.

"What made you fall in love with your husband?" I asked.

"His humor and his smile. He always knew how to make me happy." I noticed how my voice had a hint of sadness.

I knew what the lawyer was doing. I knew what he was trying to do. He wanted to make me feel sad to be an easier witness. Softer and more manageable. I straightened up and became serious. I wouldn't fall for the traps. I wouldn't let him win.

"Why are you testifying against him?"

"He killed our son and my best friend, Brita, in front of me. Mercilessly. To teach me a lesson. That's why I'm here today, sir. I have a witness who was present during this excruciating moment that causes me horrible pain every time it pops into my head. Every time I remember how my son cried, how his blood flooded the ground... All this because of the ambition of a monster."

My answer shocked everyone. Including me. I didn't see myself capable of being so honest to say what I really felt and thought, although I didn't want to admit it until this very moment.

Everyone looked at me stunned. My gaze was only focused on one person. Lasse. I wanted to see his reaction. I looked at him with teary eyes, he lowered her gaze. I avoided any feeling of guilt for having removed the blindfold that I had been wearing for all these years. I had managed to free myself.

"You don't choose who you fall in love with. I will not deny it. I thought Lasse was the man of my life. I have shared the best of me with him. I thought it would last forever. I guess that's what blinded me. Love. I only saw what my eyes wanted to see. Life was how I wanted it to be. Until I found out what he was capable of because of his own dreams and desires. He destroyed our marriage and took my son and my friend from me. I just want justice to be done. For my son, for my friend, for everyone who has had to suffer his horrible and black evil."

"There are no more questions," stammered the lawyer. 

I was really surprised. It was not expected that the trial would turn around in this way. I was quiet. Hoping it went well even though I went out of line. I tried to organize all the feelings that were running around in my heart.

"If the prosecution has no questions for Mrs. Madson, she may withdraw." The judge said. With a serious and impartial voice.

"No, your honor, we called Mr. Jannik Lund to testify."