Chapter 114

Lillian

Just when I thought we already had victory. Just when I thought we could finally be happy and be together.

Now, it all came crashing back down.

Ten years!

I blinked rapidly. Maybe this was all a dream, and I'll wake up anytime soon.

But it wasn't!

Jade tapped my finger, interlacing her fingers with mine." They are kidding, right? I crooked, another tear escaping my eyelid.

The judge stood to his feet, ready to take his leave. I looked over the crowd frantically.

The cops were already moving to take Zayden away.

He lost his freedom because of me, because he broke out of prison to save me.

No ...it can't end like this. We have to do something.

I looked over at Oliver who seemed to be in a daze, complete disbelief all over his face.

The next moment, I stood to my feet; if no one was going to do anything, then I would. I don't care if I was obstructing justice or not; my husband can't spend 10 years in prison for coming to rescue me from kidnappers.

" Wait! " My voice echoed in the room, making the judge stop in his tracks.

He turned around slowly, adjusting his glasses to look at me.

I made my way through the row of seats and came to the stand.

" It's not fair! Ten years is not a fair sentence."I yelled, making sure every single person in this courtroom could hear my voice.

The old man in a white wig stepped forward and returned back to his seat." Are you questioning my judgement, Mrs Kent?"

I stood my ground; I promised to have his back at all times, so I will." Yes, I am."

Silence followed.

Then tiny whispers rose up in the crowd and it gave me a little confidence to continue." You cannot sentence him to 10 years imprisonment for coming to rescue me. If I remember correctly, the authorities were not able to do much, and if he hadn't broken out of prison to rescue me, then I'd probably be dead by now."

Another silence followed.

My chest heaved up and down as I stared the judge right in the eyes.

" My client's spouse is right your honour. Ten years is too much of a sentence because the sole reason he had to break out was to rescue a civilian which he did." Our lawyer stepped forward and I could only release a huge sigh.

At least I had someone supporting me.

" They are right your honour. If he had been late by even a single day then she would have lost both the baby she was carrying and her life. He saved her, it's not fair to punish him with such a ridiculous sentence." Jade's voice echoed.

The courtroom fell silent again.

" And I took part in helping him escape, so he shouldn't get all the punishment. We did that because the cops were too slow in the rescue operation and she was heavily pregnant at that time. You should understand his frustration as a husband and soon to be father." Oliver stepped forward, laying his thoughts.

My heart swelled, their support was very encouraging. It made me feel so emotional.

The judge hit his gavel on the desk." The authorities have a procedure they follow, so if he had been patient, then she would have been rescued in due time."

A frown appeared on my face. My lawyer took his stand and I withdrew back to my seat, letting him handle the rest." That's precisely why many victims die at the hands of their abductors. Because the authorities are too slow to take action. If I remember accurately, she was missing for almost two weeks; any more than that, and she would have been dead."

The judge hummed." That still does not change the fact that he violated the law."

" Yes, he did, but for a good course, just like how he helped in that serial killer case. That should at least serve as a saving grace for my client. That's the only crime he's been convicted of right now and it was all due to his current circumstance. Sometimes our situation pushes us to do things we shouldn't."

" Are you saying that I should cancel the sentence?"

My lawyer adjusted his suit before continuing." He did commit a crime of assaulting an officer so all we ask is that you consider the fact that he was left with no choice and give a more fair judgement to his case."

Silence enveloped the room again as the judge contemplated.

I silently looked to heaven and prayed, just this once let my honest prayers be answered. I don't know what I'd do if the judge does not reduce his sentence.

The room returned to another bothering silence, I couldn't even tell in what direction the judge was staring because of the sun ray casting its light on his glasses

" Alright then. Your theory makes sense. It would be unfair to place such a sentence considering that a life was saved during the process, and he additionally helped in bringing the criminals involved to justice." The judge phrased.

My lawyer nodded in agreement." Yes, your honour. His actions were based on his current situation."

The judge looked over to Zayden

" Mr Zayden Kent, do you confess to your crimes?"

Zayden didn't hesitate. I saw it in his eyes, he didn't want that ten years any more than I did." Yes, I do."

The judge scribbled something on his notebook before raising his head to speak.

"You can't go unpunished because we have a law to uphold in this county but you will get a lower sentence."

My heart was beating rapidly as we all waited to hear the judge speak.

He slowly scribbled on his book again before looking up.

" Mr Zayden Kent, I renounce the previous sentence and will hereby decree a new one. You are now sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option to bail if granted."

A hush fell over the crowd and I couldn't help the sob that escaped my lips.

Five years was still too long but I was grateful. Time runs fast, right? So it should be over in no time.

We all stood to honour the judge's departure, and slowly, people started exiting the room.

I rushed over to Zayden just before he was taken away.

Tears streamed down my face as I wrapped my arms around him.

He snuggled into my neck." Thank you for speaking up for me."

I placed a kiss on his lips." I'll be waiting, okay? I'll come visit you every chance that I get." I assured him.

His eyes brimmed with a different emotion." Lilly...." His voice broke." I'm sorry for making you go through this...but I don't regret breaking out even if it costs me my freedom. I'll break out of hell just to get to you, I'll do it over and over again."

I whimpered, my fingers trembling violently." Our story won't end here. We will get our happy ending." I shook my head, connecting my temple with his.

He reached his cuffed hands forward to touch my face." Wait for me Lilly. I want it,I want a happy ending so wait for me till we get it."

I nodded in assurance." It's till death do us part."

I held on to him for as long as I could before we were ordered to break free.

" Keep this with you okay? I got one for our daughter." I grazed my fingers on the matching bracelet we had.

He forced a smile; he really tried, but it didn't come out right. I could see the tiny moisture that had built up in the Corner of his lashes. He was holding back because he was trying to be strong.

" I'm going to miss you." And a tear slipped down his lashes.

He wiped it away immediately." Fuck! I'm sorry."

I gave him a warm smile and wiped the traces of the tear off his face." Crying doesn't make you weak. It's a sign of strength, you're only human."

He buried his face in the crook of my neck again." I don't want this. Five years is too much...I don't want to get locked up again."

I couldn't control my own emotions and let the tears flow freely as my heart ached for him." I'll always be here for you. I want you to always know that I'm out here waiting, no matter how long it takes."

The officers didn't give us more time and ordered that he start walking.

I nodded at him and said the three words, watching as my husband was taken away from me to a place where I wouldn't be able to see or touch him till those five years were up.

He sacrificed his freedom for me.

What I felt in my heart was unimaginable. Zayden had suffered so much, and I want him to be happy,I don't want things to end this way.

I don't want him to be lonely again but there's nothing I can do to help him. My hands were tied.

This was what I was most afraid of, saying our goodbyes.

It hurts a lot, but true happiness comes with a little bit of pain.

I'll hold on to that for now.

I'll see him again.

In five years.