Chapter 160 CHAPTER 160

Chapter 160 CHAPTER 160

CHAPTER 160

THIRD PERSON'S POV

After 2 hours, the morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the bedroom. When Elysia stirred in Kieran's arms, her body still humming with the warmth of the night before.

For a brief moment, the fear and worry that had consumed her were distant echoes, faded by the intimacy they had shared.

But as consciousness fully returned, so did the weight of reality. The trial. The threats. The image of Victor Kane standing on their porch, his voice cold and menacing. The memory sent a chill through her, and she instinctively pressed closer to Kieran.

He stirred, his arms tightening around her. "Good morning." He murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

"Good morning." She looked up at him, her eyes searching his. "I'm scared, Kieran. I know I said I wouldn't let him win, but last night... when he was here, in our home, threatening our family..."

"I know." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "But we're not going to let him break us. We're going to be stronger than him. Smarter than him."

She nodded, drawing strength from his words. "I know. It's just... hard."

"I know it is. But you're not alone in this. I'm here. Your family is here. We're going to get through this together."

The drive to the courthouse was quiet, the weight of the day pressing down on them. Elysia stared out the window, her mind racing through the possibilities.

The trial was reaching its final stages. The jury would soon deliberate. And Victor Kane would do everything in his power to avoid the consequences of his actions.

Kieran reached over, his hand finding hers. "Whatever happens today, I'm proud of you. You've fought harder than anyone I've ever seen."

She squeezed his hand, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."

The courtroom was buzzing with tension when they arrived. The gallery was packed, reporters lining the back rows, their cameras ready.

Maya's family sat in their usual seats, their faces etched with worry. Kieran and Thomas were in the second row, their presence a steady anchor.

Victor Kane sat at the defense table, his expression one of cold indifference. But there was something different about him today, a restlessness, a barely contained fury.

He knew the trial was slipping away from him, and he was running out of options.

"All rise." The bailiff called out. "The Honorable Judge Margaret Chen presiding."

Judge Chen entered, her robes flowing behind her. She took her seat, her gaze sweeping across the courtroom. "Be seated. We will resume with the defense's case."

Crane rose, his voice smooth. "Your Honor, the defense would like to call one final witness."

Judge Chen nodded. "Proceed."

The courtroom doors opened, and a man entered. He was in his late forties, well-dressed, with the confident stride of someone accustomed to being taken seriously. He walked to the witness stand, his expression composed.

"State your name for the record." Crane said.

"Dr. Robert Mitchell," The man said, his voice calm and measured. "I am a psychiatrist specializing in trauma and memory disorders."

Elysia's heart tightened. A psychiatrist. This was a different tactic entirely. Crane wasn't attacking Maya's character this time, he was attacking her credibility, her memory, her very ability to tell the truth.

"Dr. Mitchell," Crane began, his voice smooth. "Can you tell the court about your expertise in memory disorders?"

Mitchell nodded, his voice professional. "I have been practicing for over twenty years. I have treated hundreds of patients suffering from trauma-induced memory distortion. It is a well-documented phenomenon."

Elysia rose, her voice sharp. "Your Honor, the defense is attempting to introduce expert testimony that has not been disclosed prior to trial."

Judge Chen's expression was unreadable. "Mr. Crane, you were instructed to disclose all witnesses in advance."

Crane's voice was smooth, unruffled. "Dr. Mitchell was only recently consulted, Your Honor. His testimony is crucial to my client's defense."

Judge Chen was silent for a moment, her gaze steady. "I'll allow it. But this is the final surprise witness, Mr. Crane. Proceed."

Crane continued his questioning, his voice smooth and persuasive. "Dr. Mitchell, in your expert opinion, is it possible that the victim, Maya, has suffered from memory distortion? That her recollection of the events is not entirely reliable?"

Mitchell nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It is possible. Trauma can have a profound effect on memory. Victims of assault often experience gaps, inconsistencies, and even false memories. It is not a reflection of dishonesty, it is a reflection of the brain's attempt to protect itself."

Elysia felt a surge of anger. Crane was using science to undermine Maya's testimony. He was planting a seed of doubt in the jury's minds, suggesting that Maya's memory could not be trusted.

She rose to cross-examine, her questions sharp and precise. "Dr. Mitchell, you claim that trauma can cause memory distortion. But is it also possible that trauma can make a memory more vivid? More accurate?"

Mitchell nodded slowly. "It is possible. But it is also possible that the memory is distorted."

Elysia pressed further, her voice steady. "Have you examined Maya? Have you conducted any interviews or tests with her?"

Mitchell's composure flickered. "No. I have not."

"So you are offering an opinion on a patient you have never examined? On a case you have never studied?"

Mitchell's voice was defensive. "I am offering a professional opinion based on my expertise and the documented evidence."

Elysia's voice was sharp. "But you have no direct knowledge of Maya's case. You have not spoken to her, examined her, or reviewed her medical records. You are speculating based on general principles, not on the facts of this case."

Mitchell's face flushed. "I am offering an expert opinion—"

"An expert opinion!" Elysia interrupted, "That has no basis in the specific facts of this case."

She turned to the jury, her voice clear. "Dr. Mitchell has not examined Maya. He has not spoken to her. He has not reviewed her medical records. He is offering a generalized opinion that has no bearing on the truth of what happened to her."

The jury listened, their faces thoughtful. Elysia could see the seed of doubt that Crane had planted, but she had done her best to uproot it.

The defense rested its case. The trial was now in the hands of the jury. Judge Chen instructed them on the law, her voice firm, her gaze steady. The jury retired to deliberate, their faces unreadable.

Elysia stood in the courtroom, the weight of the trial pressing down on her. Kieran appeared beside her, his hand on her shoulder.

"You did everything you could." He said, his voice warm. "Whatever happens now, you've fought the good fight."

She nodded, her resolve hardening. "I know. But I can't help worrying. Kane is desperate. He'll do anything to avoid prison."

"Then we'll be ready for him."

The jury deliberated for hours. Elysia waited in the hallway, her hands clasped, her heart pounding. Maya and her family sat nearby, their faces etched with hope and fear.

Kieran was beside her, his presence a steady anchor. Thomas had joined them, his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "You've done everything you could, sweetheart. Whatever happens, I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Dad. That means everything to me."

The jury sent word that they had reached a verdict. Elysia's heart raced as they filed back into the courtroom. She took her seat at the prosecution table, her hands clasped in her lap.

The foreman rose, his voice steady. "We, the jury, find the defendant, Victor Kane—"

The courtroom doors burst open. A bailiff rushed to the judge, his voice urgent. "Your Honor, there's been an incident. One of the jurors has been compromised. They've been receiving threats."

The courtroom erupted in chaos. Elysia felt her blood run cold. Kane had done something. He had reached one of the jurors.

Judge Chen's voice was sharp. "The jury is dismissed. We will reconvene tomorrow after an investigation."

The gavel fell, and the courtroom emptied. Elysia stood frozen, her mind racing. Kane had sabotaged the trial. He had bought himself more time.

Kieran appeared beside her, his jaw tight. "We need to leave. Now."

She nodded, her resolve hardening. The trial wasn't over. And Victor Kane had just made a very dangerous mistake.