191

191
A week later

I can't find words to describe all the turmoil and chaos that has surrounded us since the accusation against Damien was made a few days ago.

Yes, I did it. With Gérard by my side and having Isabella as a witness, I had the courage to report him for kidnapping at the Toulouse police department.

After the judge had signed the arrest warrant, he was taken into custody on the same day at his mansion, with my bag containing my belongings and my phone as evidence.

The media, press, and showbiz have gone crazy, but of course, you don't hear about a famous doctor being accused of kidnapping every day, especially when it involves the wife of a sexy businessman who's almost a Hollywood star.

Needless to say, the calls to Gérard haven't stopped but at least I'm grateful they don't know where our house is, because we would be harassed for it, just like we are when we leave this place.

Regarding the trial, we're waiting for the date of the first hearing. We know that the head of the hospital where Damien works has hired several of the best lawyers in the city. But obviously, Gérard hasn't fallen behind and apart from his own lawyers, we have Paul's team, who are the best in the country.

This has been a war without weapons since it began, but in my case, I'm not seeking revenge. In fact, I never wished for my relationship with Damien to end up in a legal battle. I don't know what resolution this will have in the end, but I only hope for justice and for all of this to end once and for all.

"And I also hope I can stop eating," I think, looking at all the chocolate crepes I've consumed during this whole time I've been in the kitchen.

In the past few days, the anxiety that this whole situation has caused me has made me eat like crazy; I even feel like I've gained weight. 

Everything has spiraled out of control...

"Love."

"Even my hormones," I say internally as I see Gérard entering the kitchen. God, he's such a sexy man.

"Juliette, did you finish the whole jar of Nutella?" I hear him ask, looking at the technically empty jar with confusion.

"Um... I think so," I say somewhat embarrassed.

"Stop eating so much of that if you don't want to die of a heart attack," he says, walking over to the fridge to get some juice.

"Don't be so dramatic," I retorted, annoyed.

"Dramatic? Babe, you've gone through three of them this week."

Well, maybe I have gone a bit overboard.

"It's just that what's happening is getting to me."

"Juliette, I've told you there's nothing to worry about. We'll win the trial. That son of a bitch is more than screwed, and I'm sure his traumatologist colleagues won't be able to rescue him from the deep hole he's dug," he comments mockingly.

"That's not funny, Gérard."

"But it's the truth," he replies, and I roll my eyes.

"Are you going to see Vittoria today?" I ask, placing two crepes on a plate for him to have breakfast.

"Yes," he says after taking a bite of the delicious crepe.

And speaking of Alice, things haven't been going well with that woman either.

Ever since she found out that Gérard and I were together again, she has made his life impossible, preventing him from seeing his daughter. She made the condition that he couldn't take Vittoria out of the apartment if he wanted to see her and all the time he had to be supervised by her.

Of course, I don't feel comfortable with that woman being around him, and not because of Gérard, but because I know what Anne is capable of. However, we're already in a trial and both of us as a couple believed it best to wait for this to be resolved before Gérard fights for custody of his daughter.

Furthermore, he's gathering evidence of that woman's past crimes and the threat from her parents against Gérard, to make a case for obtaining custody, in addition to the fact that he's been drug-free for 2 years.

"What did your mother say yesterday?" Gérard suddenly questions after finishing his meal.

And yesterday, after leaving Toulouse without notice and finding out about everything through the media, my mom and dad finally appeared, they're concerned and wanted to know about me and worried about everything that had happened, although she seemed skeptical about what Damien had done to me.

"She was sorry, couldn't believe what happened," I confess, and Gérard scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"Maybe that idiot kidnapping you was what she needed to stop trying to shove that jerk down your throat and keep you away from me."

"Don't say that."

"You know it's true. She hates me and will never accept the fact that you chose me."

"I don't care anymore if anyone accepts us or not," I retort, walking up to him. "I want to be with you, and I don't care about the others."

I take his face and kiss him, and Gérard responds instantly, intensifying the kiss within seconds, but I make him pull away because I know he won't leave.

"Go get your daughter, love," I say with a smile.

"Will you stay here?"

"I'm going out with Isabella. She asked me to accompany her to meet with her wedding planner."

"I guess you've got a new best man, don't you?" he questions, raising an eyebrow.

Well, Gérard already knows that I'll be Bella's maid of honor, and that Damien would be the best man. Well, he still is. Bella's fiancé hasn't sidelined his friend, and that has caused strong arguments between the couple.

Obviously, I didn't want this to happen and in a way, I understand Dave. Damien is his friend and it's very hard for him to let go.

"You know Damien is the best friend for Bella's fiancé, it's not that easy."

"They won't have a choice if that jerk doesn't get out of prison."

"And if the opposite happens?" I question, and he frowns. "What if we lose the trial, or if they set bail for him?”