A Little Piece Of Heaven

Chapter Forty-Eight:

Despite all of the sleeping meds I took, my eyes shot open an hour before my alarm rang. I sat up in a cold sweat and glanced at my clock. I sighed and got up. I went over to my closet and started leafing through my clothes. I need something respectable to wear. As long as I have things to focus on, I might be able to get through court today. I need to think about anything else. I need to think about anything besides Eric. My mouth went dry and my heart dropped into my stomach. I clutched the clothes rack to keep my knees from bucking under me.

Who am I kidding? I can’t do this. I can’t. He’s going to beat me. He’s going to win. He always wins. I don’t stand a chance in hell. He’s going to make a mockery out of me and there’s going to be nothing that I can do about it.

I forced myself to take deep breaths. I need to focus. I grabbed a pair of long, grey tweed slacks, a white button-down shirt, a grey camisole, and a navy J. Crew blazer. I picked out my under-things and grabbed a pair of navy flats. I sighed and turned on the shower. I stripped out of my pajamas and got in. I started my shower routine, absentmindedly.
I can do this. I have to.

As soon as the water ran cold, I stepped out. I toweled off and blow-dried my hair. I moisturized and frowned at my reflection. I don’t see someone strong looking back at me. I just see a battered girl. I don’t see the courage that I so desperately need. I see someone who is tired of fighting and losing. I see someone who is going to stand up for herself, even if she dies trying. That’s what I see.

I brushed out my hair and put it up in an intricate bun. I just want it out of my face today. I opted for no makeup. People need to see what he did to me, with no filters. I’m not going to hide my injuries. I don’t want to be ashamed because I was someone else’s punching bag. At this point, the cat’s already out of the bag.

I got dressed and fastened my sling in place. I took my non-drowsy meds and gathered my journals and sketchpads together. I took Alex’ advice. I met with the lawyer after my therapy session yesterday and talked to him about possibly using them as evidence. He agreed. I let him know that I only wanted them as a last resort.

-.-

I fidgeted in the car, the entire ride to the trial. Matt said he was coming, but he’s driving separately with Denise. Gwen and Jace wanted to ride with me. Jared wanted to get to the courthouse early to go over some last minute details with the lawyer. Everything is all leading up to this moment and I’m scared shitless.

I hesitated when I opened the car door. I know I can’t see Eric, but he’s inside somewhere. I have to face him today and the anxiety is killing me. Jace helped me to my feet and laced his fingers with mine. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze. I mouthed a silent, ‘Thank you’.

-.-

I sat nervously in the court room and forced myself to look anywhere but at Eric. I listened to his lawyer try and spin things in his favor. I kept my fingers busy by tugging on the end of my blazer. I tried to ignore everything until it was my turn on the stand.

My attention shifted as soon as Ryan stepped to the front of the courtroom.

“I’d like to bring Eric Stronghold to the stand.” He said calmly. He breathes confidence. He doesn’t seem like anything could faze him. Eric came to the stand. He was sworn in. As soon as he sat down, his eyes were locked on mine. He smirked. I couldn’t look away. My breathing quickened and I felt my pulse skyrocket. “Mr. Stronghold, can you tell us about your relationship with Miss Summers?” He asked. Eric nodded.

“Angela Summers is my stepdaughter. Our relationship wasn’t anything out of the ordinary from any other father-daughter relationship.” He said.

“Would an ordinary father put his daughter in intensive care?” Ryan asked. Eric blinked and looked like he was trying to find the right words.

“I won’t deny that she required more discipline than your average teenage girl.”

“Can you elaborate on that?” Ryan asked eerily calm.

“Angela has always been a difficult child. She tends to go out of her way to challenge authority. She needs a firm hand to keep her in line.”

“Is that all you did? Remember, you are under oath.”

“Yes.” Eric nodded. Ryan just nodded.

“Was your relationship with Miss Summers incestuous in any way? We have reports supporting accusations of your sexual assault. She suffered from multiple lacerations to her abdomen and uterus, resulting in infertility. Your prints and semen were found on the weapon and her body. How would you explain that?” Ryan challenged. For the first time, Eric looked nervous.

“That was a simple misunderstanding.”

“According to Miss Summers, she has been suffering your abuse for years. She has pictures to back up her accusations. How would you address this Mr. Stronghold?” Ryan kept attacking Eric, ruthlessly.

“As I said, she was a very troublesome child.” Eric defended himself.

“If you would look to the screen off to the left-hand side of the room, members of the jury will see the photographs in question.” Ryan told them. He picked up a little remote and turned on the projector. I followed his movements. I saw pictures that I had taken shortly after he started hitting me. I hid the camera, praying to God that he would never find it. I knew that I would have hell to pay if he did. The ones that Jace took were more detailed. It’s easier to get a clearer picture when someone else is taking the picture. Luckily, they’re all date-stamped. I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. I heard gasps echo through the room. They’re looking from me to the pictures and back again. When he finished he turned off the projector. “Do you have anything left to add?” Ryan asked Eric.

“No.” Eric answered.

“Your witness, Councilor.” Ryan took a seat. Eric’s lawyer came to the front.

“I have no questions for Mr. Stronghold at this time, your Honor.” He told him. The judge nodded. Eric left the stand and returned to his seat. “I’d like to call Miss Summers to the stand.” He announced. I gave a little jump, startled. I stood up and made my way, slowly, to the stand. I was sworn in and I took my seat. “Miss Summers when did your alleged abuse begin?” He asked me. I cleared my throat.

“Eric started touching me soon after my mother passed away, a few years ago – it soon escalated to both physical abuse and sexual.” I answered.

“Even with your pictures, you cannot prove that Mr. Stronghold was the one that was hurting you – can you?” He prodded. My mouth clamped shut.

“I have journals that I kept after he assaulted me. I also have witnesses to some of the more recent abuse.” I answered.

“Are your witnesses present?” He asked. I nodded.

“Gwen and Jace Atwood,” I replied.

“What are your relationships between the Atwoods?”

“Jace is my closest friend and Gwen is like a mother to me.”

“Isn’t it true that they would do anything for you? Including lying for you here, today?” He asked.

“Objection!” Ryan cried, standing up. “He’s badgering the witness, your Honor.” Ryan pressed.

“Withdrawn.” Eric’s lawyer retracted before he could be reprimanded. The judge didn’t look pleased.

“Could I answer that?” I asked the judge. He nodded. “To answer you, they wouldn’t lie for me. They’re good people.” I replied, icily.

“Isn’t it true that you seduced my client?” He tried again.

“Objection!” Ryan was on his feet again.

“Councilor, you’re on very thin ice. I suggest you make your point quickly.” The judge voiced.

“Did you come onto your stepfather?” He asked me, again.

“No.” I replied.

“You didn’t wear lingerie for him?”

“He threatened me.”

“Did he hold a gun to your head?”

“He pulled off my clothes and told me that if I tried to run, that I wouldn’t make it out of the house alive. He put the lingerie on me. To answer your question, no. He didn’t put a gun to my head.”

“Isn’t it true that you provoked Mr. Stronghold and that’s the reason he attacked you and sent you to the hospital?” He asked me.

“Which incident are you referring to? Eric has sent me to the hospital on multiple occasions.” I told him. He shifted.

“The incident that left you infertile,” he replied.

“Eric just came back into town from being away on business. He told me that he wanted to reenact taking my virginity. I told him that I didn’t want to have sex with him. He doesn’t take rejection very well. He started talking about marrying me and having kids with me on day. I told him it wouldn’t happen. He told me that it would be arranged and that if I didn’t cooperate, he would kill me.” I swallowed thickly, fighting tears. I closed my eyes, remembering everything that happened. I took a deep breath and continued. “He got increasingly violent. He started beating me and he ripped off my underwear. I tried to fight him, but he overpowered me. He pinned my hands and started to choke me. He raped me…” I swiped at the tears flooding down my face. “He let go of my throat and told me to submit to him. I refused and he took me, anally.” I described. I refused to look at the lawyer. “When he finished, he asked me again if I wanted to bear his children. I told him that I didn’t. He handcuffed me and let me hang off of a hook he has on his bedroom wall. That’s when he started to stab me with the ice pick.” I looked up at the lawyer. I can tell he is uncomfortable. “He pulled me off and dropped me in the living room. I managed to get to my phone and call the police, before losing consciousness.”

“Is that all that was said?”

“That’s the general gist of things.” I responded. He nodded.

“I have no further questions.”

“Very well. Mr. Stewart, your witness.” The judge told Ryan. He came up to the stand.

“Miss Summers, can you tell me what injuries you suffered from?” He asked me. I nodded.

“I can in layman’s terms. If you need something more than that, you should probably ask Dr. Sullivan.” I told him, before going into detail. “If I had lost anymore blood, I would have died.” I prefaced. “There was so much damage to my abdomen and my uterus that I was left infertile.” I told him. He nodded. “I already had injuries from a previous assault from Eric, when he attacked me that night. I had three cracked ribs and a fractured wrist. The attack only made them worse. I had another cracked rib and my wrist broke. As you can see.” I held up my arm. The jury murmured to each other. “And I’m covered in bruises.” I finished, lamely.

-.-

They questioned Dr. Sullivan after I gave my testimony. Jace, Matt, and Gwen all took the stand. Jace and Gwen told the court what they saw when he tried to drag me from their house. Jace told them what he had heard when he came to visit me after the attacks. Matt told them what I looked like when he came to visit me when I told him I was sick.

I shifted in my seat, uncomfortably. I just want this to all be over.

Eric took the stand again. Ryan read him excerpts from my journals and showed him a few pictures I had drawn of him and what he was doing to me. I couldn’t bring myself to look. I kept my eyes closed.

I felt eyes on my skin and glanced up. Eric was giving me an almost proud smirk while he heard Ryan read him his dirty deeds. He’s not remorseful in the slightest.

“We’re going on a short recess while the jury deliberates. We’ll reconvene in one hour.” The judge banged his gavel and got up. Matt helped me up. We walked out of the room. I was careful not to look at Eric. I can’t stop shaking.

“You did great in there.” Matt whispered. I looked at him, unsure of everything. “I’m serious. You were amazing.” He pulled me into a light hug. I leaned into his chest.

“I just want this to be over Matt.”

“It will be.”

-.-

The hour passed by painfully slow. Finally, we made our way back to our seats. Matt put held my good hand while we waited for the judge to announce the verdict.

“Has the jury reached a decision?” He asked.

“We have.” A juror stood up. The judge nodded.

“In the account of sexual assault in the first degree, how do you find Mr. Stronghold?” The judge asked.

“We find him guilty.” The juror announced. I squeezed Matt’s hand. Oh, my God. “In the account of attempted murder in the first degree, we find him guilty.” The juror told him then sat down. The judge nodded. Eric looks beyond pissed.

“Seeing as Mr. Stronghold has shown no remorse for the torture he bestowed on Miss Summers, I am sentencing him to 70 years to life in prison with no parole. I suggest you use your incarceration to reflect on your ways and repent. Prison is not kind of sexual offenders – especially those of minors.” The judge banged his gavel.

“It’s over. It’s finally over.” I felt stunned. Two police officers escorted him out of the room.

“I will find you, Angela!” He yelled. “I will make damn sure that you’re never happy if you’re not mine!” He cried. For the first time in a long time, his words didn’t touch me.

Notes

This is a day late. I'm sorry guys. Merry Christmas everyone!! Angela finally gets her justice, so yay! I'm sorry if the legal jargon isn't up to par. My knowledge is pretty Law & Order based - not gonna lie. Two more chapters left! Reviews would be rad.
-Katie