(Trigger: Rape)
I heard the door slam shut downstairs, I didn't move from my seat I just stared down at the papers in frustration. How could I be so stupid? This case is stupid.
I'm defending a rapist. He says he didn't do it, and he's very convincing but what if he's lying. If I lose this case this will be on me that would be a big problem. My parents would be so disappointed in me. In my 5 years of being a lawyer, I never lost a case. And I can't lose one now.
But if I win this case, what would that make me? What if he did actually rape that girl? Another rapist will walk out free.
I defended all types of criminals, and I'm not proud of it, my parents could care less as long as I get the money that they claim I deserve. And my wife, she definitely would not be proud of it either.
I try not to talk to her about my cases because it upsets her, but sometimes I just need someone to talk to who understands. She's a lawyer herself, of course, she would understand. It's her job too.
I heard a knock on my office door I quickly closed the folder Lauren pops her head in, she smiles "hey" she says she looked exhausted. "Hey"
"I brought Chinese food, come on"
"Ok I'll be down there in a minute"
"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. Let's go now....the last time I waited on you, it took an hour" I sighed and stood up and followed her downstairs into the kitchen.
"You look stressed"
"And you look exhausted" she shrugs "that's because I am"
"Then why don't you go to bed"
"Well for one, I'm hungry. And two we haven't had dinner with each other in a while. Now stop asking questions and let's pretend I cooked" I smiled at her and sat down.
"You didn't answer any of my calls today I'm guessing you were busy?" I asked "oh, yeah. I got this new case today and I'm actually very excited about it" she hands me the carton of rice. I poured some on my plate.
"Rebecca Johnson she got raped at a high school party by this guy name Andrew Thomas."
I quickly looked over at Lauren who was staring down at her plate.
That's the guy I'm defending. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah. I know she's telling the truth, I wouldn't be doing this case if I didn't. Rebecca didn't deserve anything that happened to her that night. I feel like I need to help her"
I bite into my egg roll. "When I look at her I see 17 years old me, I didn't get any justice back then my rapist is still walking these streets and I don't want her to feel that pain that I felt" I cleared my throat. "Oh"
"Oh? That's all I get?" I let out a nervous chuckled "sorry, Lauren you know I don't like bring that subject" she frowns "I know but I can actually help her"
Here's a reason why I'm stupid for doing this stupid case. I'm defending someone who raped a 17-year-old girl. When I was 17 got raped by my gym teacher.
I shouldn't be doing this at all.
Another reason is both Lauren and I met at this meeting. Everyone at that meeting had got raped and we would talk about it. I know Lauren's story, she knows mine.
She's going to be more than pissed once she finds out I'm going against her in this case.
It's also going to be hard, she also never lost a case before. So even if I lose she will still be upset with me. This could get in between our marriage.
"What's wrong?" She asked. "It's nothing I need to shower. " I stood up. "Y/n?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we talk about it tomorrow?"
"Talk about what?" I furrowed "why your mood suddenly changed. It's not like you to walk away from a plate full of food" I let out a sigh. "I'm just haven't been feeling well lately. My stomach has been cramping and I've been getting headaches that's all" she nods "ok".......
