Xavier~
"My Lord, we can not believe what Miss Luis is claiming by showing us the CCTV footage since there is a 15-minute gap between the timing of Alicia's murder and the footage. The food store is about five minutes away from Mr. Thompson's residence. Therefore, it's equally conceivable that he killed her after going to that supermarket." Derrick countered Bella's argument with his characteristic arrogance.
I glanced at the judge, noting how deeply he was contemplating Derrick's statement. A wave of dread crept over me. Derrick was known for twisting facts so convincingly, and I knew how easily he could steer things in his favor. I threw a fleeting look at Bella. How does she stay so calm, even under such direct attacks? Does she feel nothing when Derrick mocks her? Her silence under his verbal blows irked me. How could she endure such taunting without flinching?
"Would you like to respond to Mr. Merchant's statement, Miss Luis?" The judge's voice broke through the tension.
"Of course, my Lord." Bella straightened her black coat before rising from her chair.
She looked so composed that, despite my doubts, a flicker of hope lit up inside me. There was something about her confidence that demanded attention, even from me—the one who knew her weakest side. If only I had seen this side of her sooner. The shame of my past actions weighed on me, and I silently wished for just one chance to go back in time and fix everything.
"My Lord, I would like to ask my esteemed colleague what he thinks of my client." Bella's voice rang out across the courtroom. She cast a glance at Derrick, her expression as calm as ever.
"A murderer," Derrick replied irritably, standing up quickly. His tone carried a note of frustration, a tone I rarely heard from him. Most lawyers would back down when facing him, but not Bella. She had taken his arrogance and responded with poise. Derrick wasn't used to this kind of bold opposition.
"No, Mr. Merchant," Bella's tone turned firm. "You should leave the responsibility of rendering a verdict to our honorable judge. I didn't ask you to give it."
The entire courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge cracked a smile. Pride surged through me as I watched her take Derrick down a notch. For a second, I forgot my misery and reveled in Bella's brilliance.
Derrick's face turned red with anger, his mask of calm slipping for a moment.
"Mind your language, Miss Luis." His voice wavered slightly as he tried to regain control. But the damage was done. He couldn't contain the ripple of laughter that had spread through the court.
"Miss Luis, please clarify your point," the judge said, gesturing for her to continue.
"In his first statement, my Lord, Mr. Merchant claimed that my client, Mr. Thompson jumped through the window to enter the house. Then, in his subsequent remarks, he stated that there was a 15-minute gap between the time of the CCTV footage and Alicia's murder. So, I would like to ask Mr. Merchant—how does he think my client could have leaped through a window, murdered his wife, and then calmly called the police? Does my client seem to be a superhero or perhaps an athlete?"
The quiet confidence in Bella's voice cut through the room like a knife.
Silence blanketed the courtroom. Even I was shocked by how smartly she dissected Derrick's argument. I hadn't expected her to be this sharp—this brilliant. She had taken my disorganized life and carefully picked out the pieces to form a defense I hadn't even thought possible.
Sweat beaded on Derrick's forehead. He sipped water nervously and retreated to his seat. I realized at that moment just how meticulously Bella had prepared for this case. She was no longer the emotional woman I remembered. She had transformed into a logical, composed lawyer who could stand toe-to-toe with the very best.
"My Lord, I have presented a report of the fictitious drill one of the police officers conducted at Mr. Thompson's residence to reconstruct the murder scene. The results show that it would have taken over 30 minutes to carry out the entire sequence of events, making it impossible for my client to have been the culprit." Bella handed the report to the judge.
The judge studied it carefully, then turned to Derrick.
"Mr. Merchant, do you have any further proof that Mr. Thompson killed his wife?"
Derrick's voice, usually so powerful, wavered slightly.
"Yes, my Lord. I believe I can show that he is the murderer, but I need more time to gather additional evidence." His earlier confidence seemed to have drained away, replaced by a note of insecurity.
Bella seized the opportunity.
"My Lord, until Mr. Merchants can present concrete evidence in court, I respectfully request that you grant my client's bail application." Her voice was resolute, unshaken.
The judge pondered her request for a moment before announcing,
"The court grants bail to Mr. Thompson. The next hearing will be postponed until the 15th of the following month."
Relief flooded through me as the judge gave his ruling.
For the first time in months, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I was finally free—at least for now.
As Bella wrapped up her files, I stood outside the courtroom, waiting for her. I needed to thank her properly, to tell her how much I owed her for rescuing me from the depths of despair. When she exited, I rushed over.
"Mr. Thompson, congratulations,"she said, clearly surprised to see me waiting.
Despite her calm demeanor, I saw a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips before she concealed it again behind her cold mask.
"Thank you, Bella, for keeping your promise," I said, unable to contain my joy.
I reached out and hugged her, my emotions overwhelming me. Her warmth stirred something deep inside me, something I thought I had lost. But she remained distant, standing still in my embrace.
"Mr. Thompson, control your excitement. We've only won the first step—you've only been granted bail." Her voice was cool, impersonal, and a sharp reminder that this was far from over. The Bella I had once known was no longer here. She had become someone entirely different.
I wanted more—more of her, more of the woman she had become.
"Bella, did your maid not pack an extra lunch today?" I asked, hoping for a sign of kindness, a glimpse of the softness she once showed me.
She raised an eyebrow at my question.
"No, Mr. Thompson. Today, my maid knew you were getting bail, so she didn't pack lunch for you."
I smiled despite her cold tone.
"So, how about having lunch with me today?" I offered, hoping to reconnect in some small way.