Chapter 134 Justice
T.J. and I are glued in front of the news channel. All of the country's news channels are focused on Ben's bail hearing.
"They're going to oppose bail, he's a major flight risk." T.J. says. "Or it's going to be set very high, but he probably has the best defense lawyers."
I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to feel. It's like I feel guilty when I rejoice that Ben has been caught, because how many victims are not left behind? How many innocent lives has he not destroyed?
"Here comes the parents."
My heart literally stops beating for a second when I see Miguel on the screen walking behind his father and Caroline with security flanking them on the way to the courthouse.
He looks perfect, even with the stern expression on his face, reminding me of the time when I thought he was so serious.
My hand automatically goes to my little bump, wondering if he will smile when he finds out. Or would he be mad that I kept this from him?
Keeping a baby from someone is a very big deal.
"As you can see, the Cargill family have arrived at court for the bail application. Benedict Cargill the second, faces charges of sexual exploitation, rape, and drug charges. Tons and tons of videos were sent to major news stations in the country, the source still unknown." The reporter says where she's standing in front of the court building. "We have also just received breaking news that there are victims of Cargill that have now stepped forward."
"Holy shit." T.J. shakes his head. "He is cooked now, we're talking about a life sentence depending on the amount of victims."
Simon has obviously seen what is going on. I wonder if he will give a victim's statement, or sue Ben for damages. He has a police report, I hope he did.
For both of us.
"You know you can go to the police, right?" T.J. says softly, his gaze burning on the side of my face. "It would be very brave to do that."
Fuck.
Am I?
Brave?
Do I have the guts to expose myself to the whole world and tell them what Ben did to me?
Tears of shame burn behind my eyes. I know what he did isn't my fault, and there was probably no way to prevent it either since he spiked my drink with a lot of other people present.
But what will people say when they find out I hopped from the one brother to the next? And that I'm actually pregnant with that brother's child, because one cannot hide a pregnancy for long, or a baby.
If the media is already invested in Ben like they are now, me being pregnant is going to open a whole new can of worms.
"What do you have to lose, Madz? Except yourself?"
What do I have to lose except myself.
T.J. has no clue how those words are festering inside me. Ben has had power over me for so long now. I've been hiding, I've been running. My whole career was disadvantaged because of him.
So what should I do? Stay quiet? Or roar, and stand with the rest of the victims that survived him.
"I don't want my child in the media." That is my biggest fear.
This baby didn't ask for any of this, he or she didn't choose me as his mother or Miguel as his father.
"And it won't." T.J. sounds adamant. "You cannot let Ben get away with this. Your statement could be the cherry on the cake, and it could mean justice for Katherine. Who knows, maybe they would open up the case again."
I know he's right, and I know what the right thing to do is here.
I don't answer T.J., though, and we continue to watch the news for any updates.
They don't show Ben or inside the court, but I straighten when the reporter comes on screen again.
"Breaking news. Benedict Cargill the second has been granted bail on a bond of two million dollars. The accused has been put on house arrest and will be fitted with an ankle monitor. This is a developing story, I will be reporting back as soon as we have any updates on the case."
He got out. Yes, it's on bail, but they still released him. Do they not know what he's capable of? What he will do to those victims if he gets the chance?
He shouldn't be roaming free, he's a danger to society.
I leave the house to take a walk and get some fresh air, the guilt once again eating me alive from the inside.
Katherine should get justice. She didn't deserve what Ben did to her, and she certainly didn't deserve to die the way she did.
The ocean breeze is cool against my skin, blowing blonde hair into my face that doesn't belong to me.
I've had enough.
I'm determined when I walk back to the house, resolve in my steps.
T.J. is still glued in front of the T.V on the hunt for more updates.
I clear my throat, and he turns his head to look at me.
"I think I'm ready to go home."