Chapter 5 - Serving Justice
Three weeks later, the winter snow was melting outside the courthouse windows.
I sat in the back row of the courtroom, surrounded by three large men in dark suits.
My father insisted on the security detail, though I doubted anyone would dare approach me now.
I felt stronger today.
The baby was kicking actively, a constant reminder of what I was fighting for.
The heavy oak doors swung open, and the bailiff called the courtroom to order.
David was led in through a side door.
He looked absolutely horrible.
The arrogant, polished lawyer I had married was completely gone.
He was wearing an orange jumpsuit that was two sizes too big.
His hair was unkempt, and dark purple bags hung heavily under his hollow eyes.
He wore shackles on his wrists and ankles, the chains clinking loudly with every step he took.
Sylvia was led in right behind him.
Her roots were showing, her posture was slumped, and she looked ten years older than the night of the Christmas dinner.
When David sat at the defendant's table, he slowly turned his head and locked eyes with me.
His bottom lip quivered.
I stared back at him with absolute, unbreakable calm.
I didn't feel sorry for him.
I didn't feel anger either.
I just felt completely indifferent to his existence.
The prosecutor stood up and began reading the list of charges.
"Your Honor, the state brings forth charges of felony domestic violence, reckless endangerment, and witness tampering against David Montgomery," the prosecutor announced.
"We also add three counts of federal wire fraud and embezzlement, discovered during an audit of the defendant's legal practice."
David closed his eyes and let his head fall forward onto the wooden table.
"For Sylvia Montgomery, the state charges aggravated assault on a vulnerable person," the prosecutor continued.
The judge adjusted his glasses and looked down at the defendants with sheer disgust.
"How do the defendants plead?" the judge asked sharply.
David's public defender, a nervous-looking young man straight out of law school, stood up.
"Not guilty, Your Honor," the young lawyer squeaked out.
The judge nodded slowly, making a note in his file.
"Bail remains denied for both defendants," the judge slammed his gavel down.
"This court will not risk these individuals attempting to flee federal jurisdiction."
As the guards moved in to pull David up from his chair, a man in a sharp grey suit stepped through the wooden gate.
"Excuse me, Your Honor," the man said politely.
"May I approach the defendant?"
The judge nodded permission.
The man walked up to David, who was currently being hoisted to his feet by a deputy.
The man pulled a thick manila envelope from his jacket and shoved it firmly against David's chest.
"David Montgomery, you have been served," the process server announced loudly.
David looked down at the envelope in confusion.
"What is this?" David croaked, his voice raw from crying.
"Divorce papers," the man replied casually.
"Along with a civil lawsuit for emotional distress and medical damages, demanding absolute forfeiture of all marital assets."
"Have a nice day in prison."
David clutched the papers with his shackled hands, his entire body shaking violently.
He looked back at me one last time, tears streaming down his ruined face.
He opened his mouth, perhaps to apologize, perhaps to beg.
But I simply turned my head, stood up gracefully, and walked out of the courtroom.
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I had a beautiful life to prepare for.
And I didn't have a single second left to waste on the man who threw his away.
