What If...: The Story of What Could Have Been

The Truth Comes Out

All eyes were on him as he made his way to the stand. His eyes though weren't on the judge or the jury. They were on Lily. They were full of anxiety and his blood pumped adrenaline. He swore to the truth and only the truth. He sat down in the chair, his eyes remaining on Lily and only Lily.

"Mr. Jackson, what is your relationship with Mrs. Highland?" The lawyer asked Eren. He was so zoned out, lost in the beauty that was in her eyes but a quick cough snapped him out of the trance.

"What was the question?" The people sighed but the lawyer kept his patience and repeated the question. "My relationship with Mrs. Highland was.... Was....;" Her lip was slightly bitten as their baby was still asleep. They were scared of what to say. The thing was, if they confess now, it could free Eren but if not, it could get him death row. Lily nodded in defeat of protecting the baby from the comments she would receive and let Eren make a leap of faith. "We were lovers." The town gasped at the news and whispers began to spread quickly. Lily held Rosie close to her chest and scooted her chair away from Maxwell. The people were once again silenced by the sound of the gavel and yelling for silence.

"When did this affair happen?" Eren sighed and answered quickly.

"We started talking the night Lily got engaged but the affair didn't really start until a few days later. I did have feelings for her from the second day we talked but they have yet to die out." Lily smiled at the words from the last sentence. It sounded romantic to her despite the place they were in along with the position.

"Eren, can you please explain your side of the story?" The lawyer looked at Eren who nodded and cleared his throat.

"It all started on the night she showed up. She was left alone and I noticed it from where I was in the ground. She approached me after the show alone and just complimented me on my performance. I offered her to pet my pet lion and she agreed. There was no romantic gestures we did. I didn't get her name until Maxwell came back and took her. The next day I was preparing my pet for the night's show and she arrived. She explained to me that Maxwell had slapped her once they left and then proceeded to ask for her hand in marriage. I comforted her after hearing the news. She suggested to learn how to tightrope walk and I taught her. Once she did it by herself, she slipped and fell but I caught her. We almost kissed but Maxwell interrupted us and slapped Lily after she tried to defend for herself-" The people once again gasped. Eren was confused.

"She stood up against a man..."
"She must have had a death wish."
"If that was my fiance, I would have left her."
"Is there something wrong with a woman having the ability to stand up for herself?" Eren was confused at the idea of people finding the idea of equality for both men and women scandalous. "Of course it is! Women belong in the kitchen and tend the children!" Someone threw in. Eren was thrown back by the response along with those from the circus. The muttering of people grew into an uproar of discussion. BANG BANG BANG.
"Recess..."