Page 51 of Due Process
My wife had always been beautiful, but seeing her all poised and sitting amongst the masses was like capturing a bright beacon in the middle of a storming sea. The only recognition from her was a gentle softening around her eyes, yet that subtle tell was enough.
I didn’t know if she was there for support or to rejoice in my downfall, but her presence alone helped bolster my confidence. Either way, itmeantsomething, and I was going to take the little wins I could.
But before I could get too giddy, a sudden movement from her side caught my attention. A tanned hand reached for Stella’s, intertwining their fingers, and my mind glitched from the abhorrent display.
What the fuck is Curtis Wright doing atmytrial, withmywife?
The only thing holding me back from raging over and tearing them apart was Michael pulling on my sleeve to shift me into position.
He could sense my seething rage and whispered out the side of his mouth, “Get it together, Felix.”
He was right. I doubted the judge would take kindly to homicide. I was already threatened with a prison sentence. I wasn’t about to make it easier for that asshole and get locked up for life.
Rolling back my shoulders, I refocused my attention on the person front and centre, the decider of my fate.
If I thought I was uncomfortable before, that had nothing on how I felt now.
I tried to concentrate as the judge continued in monotone fashion, stating the relevant facts, taking my remorse, cooperation and guilty plea into consideration.
Michael had done a phenomenal job in his memorandum, pinpointing how I had realised the gravity of my actions and how I planned on improving myself and being better in future, which was the truth.
Yet, that barely eased the feeling of suffocation as my chest ached with each and every inhalation.
I didn’t give a fuck about all those randoms present to witness my ruin. Only one mattered, and she was currently being comforted by her best friend a couple of rows behind me.
Stella already knew the intimate details of my sins, but to have them read aloud with that asshole right beside her, holding her hand, comforting her… It was fucking soul-destroying.
And now, countless emotions swept through me as my verdict was to be announced.
“Mr Johnson,” the judge stated. “You appear for sentencing today having plead guilty for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Having taken into consideration the information before me, I’ve reached my decision. You are sentenced to twelve months’ home detention…”
Chapter 29
STELLA
I didn’t know what compelled me to attend Felix’s court hearing. All I knew was that Ihadto be there to see his devastation firsthand.
I planned on going alone, however, Curtis had other plans. He always knew me better than I knew myself. He’d clocked my shady behaviour as soon as I walked through his front door. I’d planned to dump the boys for their playdate with Logan and be on my way.
Instead, my best friend had our dads on speed dial, teeing up two new babysitters before I could mutter a protest.
At first, I was pissed at his audacity—then kind of turned on. But as I sat in the courtroom, watching karma hit my ex-husband, I knew Curtis had made the right decision.
I sat ramrod straight, almost frozen in position. The only warmth I could feel was siphoned from the man next to me. Curtis held my trembling hand, his thumb rhythmicallycaressing over mine, providing silent, subtle support that tethered me to the present.
Except, my reaction wasn’t in response to Felix. It was moreinternal.
I was losing myself.
Did I feel guilty working alongside Daisy in corrupting his reputation and poaching his company from underneath him? No.
Did I feel an ounce of remorse for forging the bulk of those countless transactions dating back to the beginning of his affair? No.
Did I care that I had systematically taken everything of monetary worth? No.
In all honesty, it wasn’t that hard. Between the two cheaters, they had made their demise entirely too easy.
When did I become so remorseless, so unrelenting?He was a man I had once considered my other half. And now, watching him wracked with anxiety and fear for his future made me feel… vindicated.
