Blackmailing His Runaway Bride by Dance-is-me (carter reed .txt) 📗

Thirty Eight

“Let’s hope for some luck,” the district head police said as Charles and Richard bade him farewell. 

They had gone to gather information about Gabriel’s charges which were waiting to be attended to. Protocols were lengthier since it was an international case.

“What’s your plan exactly?” Richard asked Charles who looked ahead thoughtfully while he halted his steps.

“If Gabriel ends up behind bars, Isabella won’t be in danger anymore. It’s as simple as that.”

“But don’t forget that anything can go wrong before Mr. Manifold is nabbed," Richard added.

“Yes…” The tall man drew a long breath, his hands digging into his pockets. “We especially have no idea what my mother is up to. If only she could just be sane for once and see how happy I am, she wouldn't have to join hands with someone like Manifold.”

Richard said nothing in response to his friend's uttered thought. Instead, a small pat on his broad shoulders was all he gave and he said, “Tomorrow is the hearing. It might be the last one.” 

Smacking his tongue against the roof of his mouth, Charles replied, “Well, like my father would always say… I hope good luck exists and I hope it goes with us tomorrow.” 

“When the divorce is settled, I’ll need to have some words with you.” 

Charles smiled at the hidden declaration in Attorney Richard's statement.

“I sure do look forward to tomorrow.” His eyes scanned the overpopulated car park, something else on his mind. Something greater.. it was a world with Isabella in it.

 And, according to the image in his head, that world was looking good already.

 ~ 

Isabella could not help but play with her hands as they all awaited a word from the presiding Judge who was in session with the men by her sides, their voices low and humming. 

She could neither bring herself to look Gabriel in the eye. Not yet. 

But she could feel his glare on her as the room became a bit laden with tension. That caused her, at that very moment, with every bone within her, to pray to the heavens to ensure her fight for freedom wouldn’t be in vain. Every memory of hers that included Gabriel was no doubt a terrible one, so having to go back to that kind of life was something she didn't wish to happen.

 “Okay…” The firm feminine voice brought Isabella out of her fiery thoughts. After the woman took a quick scan of the room, she nodded and said, “Everyone is here. Well, we are now at the stage where we give a verdict."

She reached for a particular file. “We have had the opportunity to listen to both sides likewise a few testimonies from several witnesses. Along with that, this court carried out certain investigations, and a lot were discovered and confirmed.” 

Isabella felt herself shiver a bit. The moment had finally arrived, her eyes had to clamp shut for her to live through it. 

“Mr. Manifold…” The Judge let out a small laugh, then she sighed… pitifully. “You have done nothing but lie to this court ever since you stepped in here. Perhaps to you, maybe according to your senses, you have been a good husband, but… you seemed to forget people are around you… watching. Always watching.” 

“But I have always been a good husband. I treat her well.” Isabella was surprised her eyes didn’t open to stare daggers at Manifold who was still taking pride in the many lies he had uttered. 

“How do you explain the injuries then? And the miscarriage? Certainly, the medical reports won’t lie. According to what we have seen and heard, you have not even acted like a good human talk less a husband.” 

“But-” 

“One more word about how you’ve been good and I’ll charge you with an offense. Mrs. Mani- Ms. Isabella.” Isabella's head came up as her eyes flew open. “Any words before I go on?” 

“Uhh… Thank you, your Honour.” Isabella sat straighter, her hands still intertwined. “I uhh… Truthfully, now that I am about to say my mind, it seems like I have nothing much to say. But I do anyway… especially to Gabriel.”

She had a few words for him alright, but she failed to look at him still, something held her back from doing so. 

“I never loved you. You and I know that. But I loved my father so much that I was willing to be with someone like you. It might have taken me years to tear your hold off finally, but I want to tell you one thing.

You, Gabriel Manifold,” her head turned slowly and she met his stare with a look that spelled fierceness, “will never have a hold on me anymore. I will be forever free from you. And there is nothing you can do about that.” 

Gabriel’s seat shifted with a hint of rage in the scratching sound it made. As he made to get up, the Judge’s voice jumped in. “Mr. Manifold, let’s be civilized. Well… ladies and gentlemen, shall we have the decision of this court?” The young woman seated in a corner got up and handed her a file.

“Very well then,” she continued. “After proper and just investigations, the court supports dissolving the marital union between Gabriel Manifold and Isabella Shade based on the numerous acts of violence exhibited by the defendant.” 

Isabella felt her insides flip. The verdict seemed dubious at first, she was almost certain she heard something else, but the sentence kept ringing in her head and her heart jumped for joy.

No longer listening to the Judge who was discussing how properties were to be divided- a thing Isabella had no care for- she became eager to run into Charles’s arms that very minute. 

He was her saviour no doubt. He opened her eyes just when she was about to give up and made her see how unnecessarily caged she was. But above all, he was her lover. The man that had always been in her heart no matter how much she tried to bury his memories in her mind during her crazy marriage.

“Please make yourselves available in two days for the signing of divorce papers and be punctual. That will be all for now. Have a good day.”

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