Breaking Free
Trigger Warning: This story contains scenes of domestic violence, and physical and emotional abuse. The main character was in an abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend, who hurt her both physically and mentally. The story also depicts the main character's struggle to escape from the abuse and find love and healing with another person. If you are sensitive to these topics, please read with caution. If you are experiencing domestic violence or need help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website. You are not alone, and you deserve to be safe and happy.
Chapter 23
BELLA
A bailiff escorted me into the courtroom and opened the swinging gate for me with a polite smile. I had been called to the stand. Another bailiff pressed a worn bible into my palm, and I swore to tell the truth.
I settled in the witness box and glanced around the room. Twelve strangers watched me from the jury box, scrutinizing my every move. I looked away quickly and searched for Jessica. She sat next to a heavy-set man in a suit, the district attorney, Greg Tuts. I wish I'd voted for him; he seemed competent and confident. He was going to prosecute Chris Blackwood, or rather, Christopher Mordecai Frost. He lied to me about his name. What else did he lie about?
"Hello, Ms. Swan. Thank you for being with us today," Mr. Tuts greeted. "I know this is difficult for you. If you need a break, let us know. Are you ready for some questions?"
I swallowed hard. "Fire away, Mr. Tuts."
"Do you know the defendant?" he asked, motioning to where Chris and his lawyer sat.
"Yes," I answered, simply. I offered no more like Jessica had coached me last night.
"And what is your relationship with the defendant?"
"He was my boyfriend." I emphasized the word "was".
"I see," Mr. Tuts said. "We'll come back to that down the road. First, can you tell the court by what name you know him?"
I rubbed the smooth beads of the diffuser bracelet Edward had surprised me with this morning. The bracelet was beautiful and made of natural pink bloodshot agate, rosewood, and lava stone. He placed lavender oil on them. The smell of the lavender would help keep me calm and remind me I wasn't alone.
"Chris Blackwood," I answered.
"But that's not his name, is it?" Mr. Tuts asked.
"No."
"Do you know his true name?"
Jessica had instructed me that I could answer a yes or no question like this one with actual information. I chose to do so now. "They said his name was Christopher Mordecai Frost." As I uttered his name, I saw Chris flinch in his seat. His lawyer leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
Mr. Tuts gave me a small smile. He seemed pleased I answered this way. "And who told you his real name?" he asked.
"Detective Ryan Carter," I replied, twisting one of the beads on the bracelet.
"Thank you, Ms. Swan. Let's move on. How did you meet Christopher?" Mr. Tuts moved closer to the stand as he said this.
"We met at Western Washington University. We bumped into each other at the Wade King Student Recreation Center. We were both there to work out. Christopher wasn't paying attention to who was behind him and bumped into me. He turned to apologize. We struck up a conversation and found out we lived in the same dorm, Edens Hall. We exchanged phone numbers. We hung out from time to time."
"And how long have you two known each other?" he continued.
I took a moment, remembering the day we met. He had been sweet and funny. We bonded over the fact we were wearing the exact same WWU t-shirt. I hated myself for falling for his charm. "Seven months," I said.
"How long after you met did you start dating?" he probed.
I looked down at the bracelet, giving myself time. If I answered immediately, my voice was sure to waver and with it my strength and bravery. "A month," I answered after looking back up.
"You said earlier Christopher was your boyfriend. When did the relationship end?" he inquired.
I was silent. Using my fingers, I counted the weeks. "I believe it was two months ago," I finally said.
"Was this the only time you broke up with him?" The question was asked in a soft, gentle voice.
"No," I said firmly.
Mr. Tuts rubbed his chin. It appeared he was thinking about what to ask next. "How many times did you end the relationship, including the last time?"
I didn't even have to think. "Twice."
"Let's talk about the first time a moment. Why did you break up with him?"
A tear slipped free as I recalled the reason. "I realized I deserved better than Chris. I wanted someone who would respect and love me."
Mr. Tuts went on questioning me for another five minutes about when I decided to give Chris another chance and how he treated me.
"Ms. Swan, what caused you to break up with Christopher a second time?" he asked.
I blew out a breath before wetting my lips. "I caught him in my bed with another woman."
He stepped forward, "Your honor," he said, taking a tissue out of the Kleenex box. He handed it to me before stepping back.
I dabbed my eyes.
"How did Christopher react?" he continued.
Taking a deep breath, I dabbed my eyes again. "Christopher got out of bed, dressed, and walked over to me. He told me he would decide when he was done with me. Then, he hit me with his fist."
"Did he do anything else?"
"Yes." I wiped my eyes once again. "I had fallen to the floor. He kicked me hard in the stomach. Kicked my right leg." I touched my right thigh where a permanent reminder of Chris' cruelty remained.
"Did you lose consciousness at any point?"
"Yes, as he and the woman were leaving my bedroom."
He walked over to the table Jessica sat at and picked up some documents. "Your honor, the prosecution would like to submit into evidence pictures of Ms. Swan after the attack. Prosecution exhibit H. And the ERs report on her condition when she arrived, as exhibit I."
He gave them to the bailiff, who then handed them to the judge. The judge examined the documents.
"So entered," the judge replied after handing the documents back to the bailiff.
The documents were placed on the table in front of the high bench where the judge sat.
Mr. Tuts turned back to me. "How are you doing, Ms. Swan?" he asked.
"I'm fine," I lied.
"Need a break?" he offered.
The judge glanced over at me. He must have seen something on my face. "I don't know about you, Ms. Swan, but I could use a break," he said, answering for me. He picked up his gavel and banged it twice. The sound rang in the otherwise quiet courtroom. "The court is in recess for lunch. We will resume at 1:30 where Ms. Swan will retake the stand and the prosecution will continue their line of questioning."
I was confused. What was I supposed to do?
Marshal Jones approached me with Edward.
Edward pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead.
"You're probably wondering what to do, right?" the marshal said, when I looked over at him.
I nodded.
"Well, you can't talk about your testimony until you are thanked and excused by the judge. That means, in simple terms, you are done testifying. However, you can let me and Mr. Cullen escort you to a conference room for lunch," the marshal explained.
"I ordered lunch from Humble Pie," Edward whispered in my ear as we followed the marshal.