Chapter 48 THE TRIAL
THE TRIAL
ARIA'S POV
I sat at the edge of the bed in my room,staring at the ceiling and then to the screen. Every major channel replayed the clip, Lila's voice,confessing the setup that ruined everything.
> I'll make it look like Damian's mess. He'll take the fall.
Now they've all seen it.
The world finally knows.
But he's still there locked up for the trial,which is today.
Victor called.
“Aria.” He said the moment I picked up. “ The leak worked.”
I pressed a hand to my forehead. “ Our plan worked. They have the evidence of innocence.”
“Yes,they do. You need to be at trial today. He'll need you there.”
I sighed. “ I was already going “
The court was surrounded by cameras. Reporters shouted questions as I stepped down the car.
“Aria, did you know about the recording?
“How does it feel to be betrayed by a best friend?
“Do you believe he's innocent?
“Are you still defending Damain Blackwood?
I gave no answer. My hands trembled as u pushed through the crowd.
Then the doors opened.
Damian was brought in,handcuffed. He looked thinner after a night. His eyes found mine instantly.
And just like that my breathing stopped.
He gave the faintest nod,the kind that said:I see you, I'm still here.
I sat near the front, second roll actually,gripping the edge of the chair as the judge entered and the murmur died.
“Case number 2223- The state versus Damian Blackwood”
The prosecutor seemed too confident, standing fit. “Your honor, despite the recent online content. We maintain that Mr Blackwood remains the prime suspect in the murder of Caleb Reynolds.”
I felt a sting of pain,then a hand touched my shoulder calmly.
I turned.
“ Just in time,” Viktor said and sat.
Then Damian's lawyer,Mr Thompson rose slowly but powerfully. “Your honor,new evidence released yesterday changes everything. A video confession from Lila, confirming the orchestrated the entire frame up, including witness manipulation, falsified records.”
Gasps filled the courtroom. The judge slightly adjusted her eyeglasses. “Do you have evidence?”
“We do your honor” Damian's lawyer motioned to the screen.
He played the video.
Lila's voice filled the courtroom, undeniable, venomous and mocking.
> He'll take the fall. And by the time they realize, I'll already have what I need.
The court room was filled with noise.
“Quiet” she ordered.
Then the video ended.
The judge leaned forward. “And this was verified?”
“Yes, your honor. Cross referenced by multiple digital experts this morning.”
I smiled.
The prosecutor stammered. “ This could be fabricated…”
“Except it's not” a voice interrupted.
Vanessa stood at the back of the courtroom,pale.
“I recorded that myself.” She said. Then she looked at Damian. “ I planted the suspected CCTV at Aria's house.”
Reporters whispered furiously. Cameras clicked.
The judge banged her gavel. “Order.”
Vanessa eyes met mine,like a silent apology.
Thompson spoke again. “ With this witness testimony and video confession,the defense moves for immediate dismissal against Damian Blackwood.”
The judge looked from Damian to Vanessa,then back again. “ The court will recess for one hour. When we reconvene, a decision will be made.”
The gavel hit once more.
The Courtroom was filled with noise once more.
Damian was escorted out,but this time his looks were relaxed.
Not of a man defeated,but the look of someone who saw light in darkness.
I followed them to the hallway ignoring the chaos.
When we reached the holding area,the guards hesitated but finally let me through for a few minutes.
He was standing by the wall,still in cuffs. I went straight to him.
“You did it,” I whispered. “She’s exposed. Vanessa came through.”
He smiled faintly. “You did it. You believed me when no one else did.”
“I almost didn’t,” I admitted, voice breaking. “I almost let them take everything from you.”
He shook his head. “You saved me, Aria. That’s all that matters.”
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “When this is over, we start again. No lies, no contracts. Just us.”
He exhaled, like he’d been holding that breath for months. “You really think we can?”
“I don’t think,” I said softly. “I know.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” he murmured.
“You better.”
An hour later, I was back in the courtroom.
The judge reentered, papers in hand. Everyone rose.
She adjusted her glasses once more and spoke clearly.
“After reviewing the submitted evidence and hearing the new testimony, this court finds insufficient grounds to continue the charges against Mr. Blackwood. The case is hereby dismissed.”
The gavel struck.
Gasps. Cheers.
Damian stood frozen for a second, like he couldn’t quite believe it. Then he turned, searching for me, and when he found me, I was already crying.
He walked down the aisle, no longer in chains. I ran to him.
He caught me before I could even speak, his arms wrapping around me so tight I could barely breathe. The noise around us disappeared, reporters, lawyers, everyone fading to nothing.
He whispered into my hair, “It’s over.”
I held him tighter. “No,” I said. “It’s just beginning.”