She Loved, He Fought (The Daughters' Series #1)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Thank you

To be honest, I'm panicking inside. This is our last straw, whatever we would put on the Judge's table could make or break this case.

I massaged the bridge of my nose before coming up with a decision. "We don't have enough time to find other evidences but we have one. Our only hope."

I glared at Mariana, she's been weeping since the trial started. And I hate it! Those tears won't help us.

"I know somewhere private," si Tristan.

"Let's go, we don't have time," Miles breathed.

We walked as fast as we could in the near coffee shop. Pero pagpasok pa lang ay parang gusto ko na ulit lumabas. My eyes instantly found Elias, sitting around the corner. Sipping his coffee while reading a newspaper.

Really?

"I thought it's a private place?" I whispered to Tristan.

"It's private, wala naman masiyadong tao," pagdadahilan niya.

I exhaled. We have no other choice, I guess. Wala na kaming ibang oras para maghanap pa ng ibang lugar. Malaki naman ang coffee shop at hindi naman niya siguro kami mapapansin. Ano naman kung mapansin niya kami? I shouldn't care, right?

We placed at the opposite corner. Totoong wala masiyadong tao at bilang lang sa kamay kaya wala ring makakapakinig sa kung ano man ang pag-uusapan namin.

Miles ordered coffee for us while I and Tristan started the interview with Mariana for the God-knows-how-many-times. I just hoped that this would be the last because she would tell us the truth. Besides, I still believe that truth shall always prevail.

"Tell me what exactly happened that night?" I inquired, putting pressure on her shoulder.

Forgive me if I can't help it! I just need to win this case for Mariana... and for me.

She sobbed even harder. Luminga-linga ako para makita kung may nakukuha ba kaming atensyon. But then, my glance only met one pair of eyes. Our gazes locked for a second. And those eyes were screaming a thousand of words─ as if he sees everything. That he knows it all.

I swallowed hard and turned back my attention to my client.

"Tell me now that I can still grip my patience, Mariana," I said through gritting teeth.

"Totoo ang lahat ng sinabi ni Alivin, Ate Frances. Natakot ako na iiwan niya ako kaya tinakot ko r-"

"You blackmailed him?"

"Opo. Mahal ko siya, hindi ko kayang iwan niya ako," she continued, crying.

"It is true that you hurt him physically, isn't it?

"Totoo, tuwing nag-aaway at hin-"

"Where do you acquired the scratches on your neck?"

"Naisip ko... na mas magiging kapani-paniwala na ni-rape niya ako kung may ebidensya ako. 'Yun ang natutunan ko sa 'yo."

I clenched my jaw.

"So you hurt yourself to get a proof that he raped you? Paano nagkaroon ng DNA si Alvin sa leeg mo kung ganoon?"

"H-Hindi na ako nakapag-isip ng maayos..." she shook her head. "Hinablot ko 'yung kamay niya at... at pinilit ko siyang gasgasan ang leeg ko. I forgot that he's left-handed."

I exhaled in frustration and anger.

All of these were new to me, I wasn't prepared. And I can't... I can't defend her anymore. I promised myself that I will always stand by the truth, no matter what. But this isn't the truth. She lied to us. We accused an innocent person. It is a shame!