Chapter 115
I kept my face neutral, but inside I was a bundle of nerves. Lucky was growling, so ferociously that I had to grip the edge of the witness stand as my claws threatened to extend. Roman still had that smug smile on his face as he stared me down.
He knew what he was doing, and I knew I couldn’t stay quiet for too long. I didn’t want the court to think I had something I desperately wished to hide.
So, I raised my head and met his gaze.
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“Yes, I agreed to it.” It was the truth after all. “But clear boundaries were set. Boundaries that Xander crossed by moving his Beta into our home.”
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“Boundaries you say. Yet, you remained in that house for months after this alleged violation of your agreement. Tell me, Ms. Ashford, doesn’t that seem…erratic?”
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Let me at him, Jane. I’ll make sure he regrets everything he’s saying, Lucky growled.
It was hard, but I managed to silence her. Losing my composure wouldn’t help my case. That was exactly what Roman wanted. That was why he kept pushing. If I lost my cool, it would only prove to the court that I was unstable and abusive just like he claimed.
I couldn’t let that happen.
I straightened my spine and fixed him with a neutral gaze.
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“Because I hoped he would realize what he was doing. I was waiting for him to come to his senses and realize that he was destroying our marriage. I loved him and wished to make things work. I thought our marriage was worth saving.”
“So, this lawsuit…demanding half of his assets, the company shares… It‘ s all about saving your marriage?”
I felt Lucky recoil. That was a baseless accusation.
“No. This is about-”
“Revenge,” Roman cut me off. “It’s about revenge. You want to punish my client for daring to find happiness outside of your control.”
“Objection, Your Hornor,” Hailey exclaimed. “Counsel is badgering the witness and making provocative accusations that are unfounded.”
Judge Daniel nodded. “Sustained. Counselor, restrict yourself to questions.”
Roman’s eyes darkened. But I still didn’t react. I was here to tell my truth. I’d be damned if I let Xander and his lawyer bully me into accepting their warped version of reality.
“No further questions, Your Honor,” Roman finally murmured before returning to his seat without the initial confidence he’d stepped forward
with.
I moved back to my seat, head held high.
“Good job,” Hailey whispered to me when I sat down. “You really held your own.”
“I had to.”
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The bailiff called Xander’s name and I watched as he rode from his seat to the witness stand. Roman went first, trying to paint Xander as a sorry victim with his questions. It was almost laughable, how they’d spent the past few weeks cooking up a story that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Roman was a good storyteller, a fantastic one even. But I wouldn’t let him win this.
It was Hailey’s turn to question Xander now, and I could see him already squirming in his seat.
“Mr. Blackwood, can you tell the court why you’re here today?”
Xander’s venomous gaze swept to me. “I’m here because my wife filed this lawsuit to control me. She’s trying to punish me for not following her rules.”
“Really? Didn’t you just testify that you had a happy marriage?” Hailey asked.
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“Well, yes. I love Jane. I’ve always loved her, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop. She knows this.”
“Hmmm…is that why you moved your secretary into your marital home?”
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Xander’s expression darkened for an instant, but he immediately switched back. “Mia was…she was going through a difficult time. She needed…”
“She needed to live in your home?” Hailey arched an eyebrow.
Xander’s carefully crafted composure began to shatter. “It…it wasn’t like
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that. She was in the guest room…”
“It was my understanding that your Beta had taken residence in your home and also in your marital bed.”
The entire courtroom went silent.
“Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is speculating.”
“Overruled.” Judge Daniel turned to Hailey. “I want to hear his answer.”
“I… She…” he stumbled, eyes flickering around the courtroom before landing on mine. “The open marriage was Jane’s idea,” he blurted out, pointing an accusatory finger at me.
I wasn’t even surprised. Trust Xander to blame others for his actions.
“She suggested it, and then changed the rules out of the blue when I found someone who…”
“Someone who what, Mr. Blackwood?”
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