Chapter 271
Actually, the court had already reviewed all these details in the first trial.
Back then, even our so–called witness panel had testified, confirming that Edward had, in fact, cheated. His affair was so outrageous that he became the laughingstock of the entire city.
What baffled me was his audacity to appeal, willingly thrusting himself back into the spotlight.
I supposed he didn’t mind sacrificing his dignity all over again if it meant staying alive–and keeping me, his only lifeline, shackled to his side.
As I laid out my accusations, Edward sat across from me, separated by two courtroom tables. His sharp gaze bore into me, as though he were struggling to contain a storm of emotions.
I knew that if this weren’t a courtroom, and if he weren’t too weak to stand, he would have already charged at me in a fit of rage.
In just a few short months, we had gone from lovers to enemies, from devotion to hysteria.
Two days ago, over the phone, he had told me to look in the mirror and ask myself if I still recognized the person I had become. But in truth, he should have been asking himself the same question.
Did he not see the monster he had become?
The courtroom fell silent after I finished my testimony.
Edward clenched his fists, but instead of lashing out, he let out a short, bitter laugh–a sound dripping with self- deprecation and defeat.
“Taylor, you’ve been keeping track of all my crimes for a long time, haven’t you? The real reason you’re showing this ugly side of yourself now is that you’ve already found someone else and want the annulment finalized as soon as possible, isn’t it?”
I replied calmly, “You were just as vile. The whole country knows about your affair–how you stole my wedding, my dress, my jewelry, and even forced me to be your witness.
“Worst of all, you tried to take my mother’s keepsake from me. Have you forgotten? Should I play the recordings again so the judge and everyone here can admire your actions once more?”
I refused to let him shift the blame or drag me into his web of manipulation. Thus, I continued to hammer away at his faults, leaving no room for doubt.
The courtroom remained silent, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air. The judge tapped her gavel lightly and turned to Edward. “Does the defendant have anything further to add?”
Edward’s response was simple but defiant: “I refuse to annul. I believe our relationship hasn’t truly broken down.”
I scoffed but didn’t dignify his remark with a response.
The judge, clearly exasperated by his delusion, raised an eyebrow and asked, “And what, in your opinion, would count as a broken relationship?”
That silenced him completely.
I couldn’t help but laugh inwardly, mentally applauding the judge for her sharp retort.
In truth, Ace had already told me the court wouldn’t overturn its ruling unless Edward presented new and substantial evidence proving our civil partnership was still intact.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 271
As real as his illness was, playing the victim wasn’t enough to sway the judge.
Besides, today’s judge was a woman–someone who could understand and empathize with the suffering I had endured in this relationship.
That was why, compared to the first trial, this one concluded even more swiftly and decisively.
“After reviewing the evidence presented, this court finds that this civil partnership has irreversibly broken down.
“As there are no disputes regarding child custody or asset division, the court upholds the initial ruling. The civil partnership between the plaintiff, Taylor Jones, and the defendant, Edward Kennedy, is hereby voided.”
The gavel struck, marking the end of my exhausting battle against Edward.
I felt… calm… sitting in my wheelchair.
Unlike the first trial, where anxiety and unease gripped me, I faced the verdict with complete composure this time. Edward had no more moves left to play.
This appeal–this entire act–had been nothing more than his last, desperate attempt to hold on.
Hence, the ruling didn’t shock me. I wasn’t even elated. It was simply an outcome I had already foreseen.
1 looked at Edward. His expression remained defiant, his fists clenched–yet his eyes held a hollow, sorrowful look
Chapter 272
Chapter 272
