Isabella~
"What have you decided now, Bella?" Victor questioned me as he took Alan to meet me.
"What would you do if you were in my place?" I folded my arms across my chest and challenged him.
"Bella, I appreciate your decision, but your commitment to your work has the potential to destroy our whole family," Victor said with a beseeching look, his voice tinged with concern.
"Family?" I murmured bitterly, the memory of Xavier's harsh slap on my cheek flashing before my eyes. A bitter smile spread across my lips. I heard Dad's heartless remarks as I departed from the residence.
"I know, Bella, you are deeply hurt, but at least think about your son. He lived five years without his dad, and now you want him to make his life miserable by keeping him separate from his mom," Victor pressed, giving Alan's face a worried glance.
Alan was engrossed in playing games on my phone, completely unaware of the storm brewing around him.
"I can't take a step back, Victor. What will I tell myself—that I duped myself just to protect my family? No, Victor, I can't do this. When I was in law college, I decided I would always stand for justice no matter what the cost was," I declared with unwavering determination.
"So, are you prepared to put your family at risk this time?" Victor's countenance conveyed his dissatisfaction with my choice as he arched his eyebrows at me.
"Yes, I'm willing to give up my happiness to achieve justice." I got up from the couch to have a conversation with Alan.
Since the Thompson family will not permit Alan to see me again to crush my spirit, I am aware that today is my last opportunity to meet him. I am fully aware of Xavier and Dad's strategies, and if I refuse to comply with any of them, they will undoubtedly use Alan to threaten the removal of my name from this lawsuit.
"Alan, you are a big boy now, so you have to learn to live without your mama. Mama needs a lot of focus to work since I am working on a very large lawsuit against your grandfather," I explained, keeping my voice steady even as my heart ached.
"He's just a child, Bella," Victor implored, his voice soft with concern, pleading with me not to disclose to Alan such intricate family relationships.
"No, let me tell him the truth," I insisted, raising my palm in front of Victor to silence him.
"Mama, are you going to fight a new case against Grandpa?" A glimmer of excitement lit up Alan's deep blue eyes.
"Yes, your Dixie aunt needs my support," I said with a firm nod, meeting his innocent gaze.
"Okay, Mom, it will be entertaining to see you and your grandfather spar in court. I pray that you will win this case," Alan said, his face lighting up with joy and optimism.
"Victor, do you also think that whatever I am doing is wrong?" I asked him this question as he was about to leave my room.
"No matter how I feel about you, Bella, I have no right to judge him or you," Victor admitted, his voice trembling. "He never thought I was worthy of his love because I chose to pursue a music career, and he became even more hateful of me after learning that I was gay. Therefore, despite my repeated attempts to convince him to overcome his stubbornness, he remains unreceptive to my arguments." Tears welled in his eyes, revealing the depth of pain that lingered from Dad's rejection.
"Will you assist me if I need your help?" I asked him, my voice softening.
"Bella, I'll always be your friend no matter what happens with Xavier," he promised, his words carrying a quiet resolve. I sighed in relief at having Victor on my side.
"Take care of Alan." I gave him a wave before going back to my room.
Many emotions made my chest feel heavy, but I decided to set everything aside to get ready for the case hearing tomorrow. I've never clashed with my father in my life, not even about family issues, so I'm not sure how I'll handle him.
Even yet, I discovered that Dad's style in court is not gentle or cruel after witnessing him rehearsing court sessions with Xavier at home. In the courtroom, he played with the minds of others.
I met Dixie to collect new evidence for the case. I practiced for this case all night long. I arrived at the court promptly the next morning.
Numerous reporters rushed to me to ask me questions, but I chose to say nothing, letting their words fade into the background.
"How are you feeling right now, Mr. Thompson?" As I heard a journalist interrogate my father, I looked at his face. After giving me a furious glare, he scathingly responded to the journalist.
"Today, I left my emotions at home." Even though his remarks broke my heart, I decided to remain composed and cover my suffering with a serious expression.
"How did you feel about your fiancé's planned court battle against your dad today, Mr. Thompson?"
Questions from journalists further exacerbated already complex family relationships.
"Excuse me." He gestured for the journalists to move away from him without responding.
My emotions resurfaced when I met his deep blue eyes. I didn't find any guilt, remorse, or even a hint of sadness on his face. His devotion to his father and his family is evident in each step he makes in the courtroom.
For a moment, when he stood directly in front of me, I felt like I didn't even know this man anymore. His eyes, once filled with love and compassion, now burned with a cold determination that cut through me.
Memories of the man who used to hold me close, who would whisper words of comfort in my ear, flooded my mind, but they felt distant—as if they belonged to someone else entirely. My heart clenched, realizing how far we had drifted apart.
The judge sits in his chair, and the court session begins.
"My lord, my client Dixie Thompson is seeking a divorce from Lincon Thompson because he coerced her into having sex with his acquaintances in addition to abusing her physically," I announced, my voice steady and clear. As I made the introductory remarks, I cast a disgusted glance at Lincon.
"I ask the court to give Dixie Thompson justice by granting them a divorce and putting Lincon Thompson in jail."
Dad glared at me and then got up to continue the argument, his eyes burning with humiliation and wrath. Xavier's gaze seemed to be searching for a criminal in me.
"My lord, it's important to remember that a court will not accept statements without proof or evidence. However, it's possible that her pride prevented her from seeing the truth. Am I correct, Miss Luis?" His remarks were a mix of hostility, rage, and taunt.
Hearing him call me Miss Luis made my heart bleed. However, I suppressed my emotions and remained focused on this case.
"It's possible that my senior attorney.
Mr. Thompsonon will forget that this lawsuit is about his son, Lincon Thompson, rather than me. Furthermore, I am fully aware that no court will accept a case that is just based on accusations. However, I would like to ask Lincon Thompson a few questions before I present any evidence in court," I said to my tone firm. As I received the judge's consent to question Lincon, I turned to face him.
"Are you happy in your married life, Lincon Thompson?" His eyes gazed at me, hoping for mercy, but I was determined to reveal his true nature in front of the court to ensure justice for Dixie.
Dad's gaze softened for the briefest of moments as he watched me. For a flicker of time, it seemed as though he questioned his actions—his choice to stand against me in such a public and painful way. But the moment passed, replaced by his usual cold resolve.
Originally a matter involving Lincon and Dixie, this court has now become a battleground for the Thompson family. Now, the case is primarily about Thompson vs. Thompson.