Chapter 112 Day Of Trial 1

Chapter 112 Day Of Trial 1
Danika's Pov.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, my eyes wide as I stared at my own reflection. My chest was heaving up and down, and I could literally hear the frantic thumping of my heart echoing in my ears. I lifted a hand, pressing my palm flat against my chest in a desperate bid to calm the wild rhythm down, but it was completely useless.

Today was the day. The day of Jared’s trial.

Even though I knew he was locked away, even though I knew he couldn't physically reach out and hurt me anymore, the mere thought of facing him in a courtroom made my stomach churn with a deep, sickening anxiety. For years, that man had controlled every single aspect of my life. He had made me feel small, worthless, and utterly disposable. And today, I had to look him in the eye while the law decided his fate.

"Stop holding your breath, Danika. You're going to pass out before we even get into the car," a soft, familiar voice scolded gently. Seraphina was kneeling on the carpet right behind me, her hands working quickly and precisely as she adjusted the hem of my dress. She gave the fabric a sharp tug, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles before finally standing up to face me in the mirror.

She looked at me through the glass, her eyes shining with absolute pride. "There. Take a huge, deep breath for me. Come on, do it."

I forced myself to inhale the cool air of the dressing room, letting it out in a long, shaky sigh. "I'm trying. It just feels like my lungs are completely stuck."

"They aren't stuck. You're just scared, which is completely normal," Seraphina said, reaching out to gently squeeze my shoulders. Her grip was tight and grounding. "But I need you to remember something very important right now. You have finally come so far, Danika. You are not that girl that you were months ago. A huge, dark chapter in your life is finally going to get closed today. Forever."

I looked down at the clothes she had chosen for me, and a small, breathless laugh escaped my lips. Seraphina hadn't just picked out a nice outfit for court. She had dressed me in a very specific, deliberate way. It was a total 'revenge' dress.
The outfit was a stunning, tailored power suit dress in a deep, midnight black. It fit my frame perfectly, hugging my waist before flaring out just slightly above my knees. The shoulders were sharp and structured, giving me an immediate air of authority, while the neckline was crisp and professional yet undeniably bold. Paired with a pair of shiny pointed red bottom heels, I didn't look like a victim going to testify. I looked like a high-profile boss lady who was about to walk into a building and turn the entire place completely upside down.

"You look absolutely lethal," Seraphina whispered, a mischievous, satisfied smile spreading across her face as she patted my arm. "When Jared sees you looking like this, confident, beautiful, and completely out of his reach, it's going to destroy whatever little pride he has left. Now, turn around, stand up straight, and go downstairs. Your handsome billionaire husband is waiting for you."

My cheeks flushed slightly at the word husband, but the heavy dread in my stomach actually started to lift, replaced by a sudden spark of anticipation. I offered Seraphina a deeply grateful smile, gave my reflection one last nod, and turned around to walk out of the dressing room. Every step I took down the grand hallway felt heavier than the last, my heels clicking sharply against the polished floors. As I reached the top of the grand staircase, I stopped for a brief moment, my hand gripping the smooth mahogany railing.

Down in the foyer, standing right by the main double doors, was Lysander. He was looking down at his wristwatch, but the absolute moment he heard the sound of my heels, his head snapped upward. I watched as his dark eyes scanned me from head to toe, his gaze instantly locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch in my throat.

A slow, breathtaking smile spread across his handsome face. And then, I noticed his clothes.
He had completely discarded his usual corporate navy or charcoal suits. Instead, he was wearing a perfectly tailored, custom midnight-black suit that precisely matched the shade and fabric of my dress. His crisp white shirt was unbuttoned at the very top, and he wore a dark silk tie that shone beautifully. We looked completely synchronized, like a united front ready to face a storm together.

As I slowly walked down the remaining steps, Lysander didn't just stand there. He took a few steps forward, stopping right at the base of the staircase. With a perfectly straight face and a playful glint in his dark eyes, he swept one arm across his waist and bent forward, giving me a classic, old-school gentleman’s bow.

I couldn't help it. The sight of this powerful, intimidating billionaire bowing to me in his own foyer broke all the remaining tension in my body. A loud, genuine giggle escaped my lips, the sound echoing through the quiet house.

Reaching the bottom step, I decided to play along. I held out the sides of my structured dress and bent my knees slightly, lowering myself into a perfectly graceful, old-fashioned lady’s courtesy.

"Good morning, sir," I teased, looking up at him through my eyelashes.

Lysander straightened up, his deep, rumbling laughter filling the space between us. He reached out, his large, warm fingers wrapping securely around my hand as he pulled me gently off the last step until I was standing completely flush against his chest. The familiar, comforting scent of his expensive cologne and rich cedarwood washed over me, instantly making me feel safer than I had all morning.

He lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against my knuckles while keeping his eyes entirely locked onto mine. "Good morning, my beautiful wife," he murmured, his voice incredibly low and rough. "You look absolutely gorgeous. Truly. If looks could kill, your ex-husband wouldn't even make it to the witness stand."

I smiled, my heart fluttering for an entirely different reason now. "Seraphina called it a revenge dress. She told me I looked like a boss lady."

"She wasn't lying," Lysander agreed, his hand moving from my fingers to rest firmly against the small of my back, guiding me gently toward the front door. "You look like you're about to take over the city. And honestly? I would gladly hand it over to you. Come on, let's go. The driver is waiting.”

“Okay.”