CHAPTER 6: COURTROOM DRAMA

Olive left the hospital with a heavy heart. The encounter with Raymond Stone was still fresh in her mind, but she couldn’t dwell on it. She had more pressing issues to deal with. As she hailed a cab to the courthouse, her thoughts raced. She had to face Frank, her ex-fiancé, and his ridiculous demands. The very idea of compensating him for “wasting his time” felt absurd, but Olive knew she had to remain calm and strong.

The courthouse loomed ahead, and as the cab stopped, Olive paid the driver and stepped out. She saw her lawyer, Henry Porter, waiting for her near the entrance. Helen gave her a reassuring smile, but Olive’s attention was quickly drawn to the two figures standing near the steps—Frank and her sister, Delilah.

Delilah spotted her first and smirked, her eyes filled with mockery. She stepped forward, holding an envelope. “Oh, dear sister,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “you’re just in time. I have something special for you.”

Delilah tossed the envelope at Olive’s feet. Olive bent down, picked it up, and opened it. Inside was an invitation to Frank and Delilah’s wedding. Olive’s eyes scanned the words, and she felt a pang of anger and disbelief.

“A wedding, huh?” Olive said, her voice calm but cutting. She looked up at Delilah with a cold smile. “Well, I’m not surprised. You’ve always been good at taking my leftovers.”

The words hit Delilah like a slap, and her smirk disappeared. Her face flushed with anger, but before she could respond, Olive walked past her and into the courthouse.

Inside the courtroom, Olive sat beside Helen, trying to steady her nerves. Across the room, Frank sat with his lawyer, looking smug and confident. Olive took a deep breath. She couldn’t let him intimidate her.

The judge entered the room, and the proceedings began. Frank’s lawyer stood up, his tone sharp and accusing.

“Your Honor,” he began, “my client, Mr. Frank Mitchell, is seeking compensation from Miss Olive Bennett for emotional distress and time wasted during their engagement. Furthermore, we believe Miss Bennett may be hiding something. If she is indeed pregnant, it raises questions about her behavior and fidelity.”

“Your Honor,” Henry said firmly, “these accusations are baseless. My client has been honest and transparent. In fact, Miss Bennett has stated that she has never been with any man, including Mr. Mitchell. If there is any question about a pregnancy, we request that proper medical tests be conducted before making assumptions.”

Frank’s lawyer quickly objected. “But what if she’s already planning to terminate the pregnancy, Your Honor? That would erase any evidence of wrongdoing.”

Henry smiled calmly. “Your Honor, medical records are detailed. They can provide a complete history of any pregnancy, whether terminated or not. Until we have those records, these accusations are nothing more than speculation.”

The judge, an older man with a serious demeanor, looked at both lawyers. He tapped his gavel lightly before addressing the room.

“I agree with Miss Bennett’s counsel,” he said. “Speculating on potential actions is not evidence. This court will adjourn for three weeks. During that time, Miss Bennett will undergo medical tests to clarify the situation. Once the results are available, we will reconvene to continue this case.”

With a bang of the gavel, the session ended.

As the courtroom emptied, Olive turned to Henry “Thank you for standing up for me,” she said softly.

Henry nodded. “You did well, Olive. But we need to act quickly. Let’s schedule the medical tests as soon as possible to clear your name.”

Olive hesitated. She didn’t want to reveal too much about the situation with Raymond or the confusion surrounding her pregnancy. After a moment, she said, “I’ll handle it, Henry. Trust me.”

Henry looked concerned but nodded. “Alright. But don’t wait too long. We need solid evidence for the next hearing.”

Outside the courthouse, Frank was furious. His plan to humiliate Olive had failed, and he wasn’t used to losing. He paced back and forth, muttering angrily to himself.

Delilah, always eager to stir the pot, approached him. She leaned in, her voice low and sweet. “Don’t be so upset, darling,” she purred. “We’ll get her eventually. She can’t keep pretending to be innocent forever.”

Frank’s jaw tightened, but Delilah’s words seemed to calm him. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch light and seductive. “Why don’t we focus on more important things? Like our wedding. Or... other ways to make you feel better.”

Frank smirked slightly, his anger fading as Delilah led him away.v

Meanwhile, Olive boarded a flight back to New York. As the plane ascended, she stared out of the window, watching Chicago disappear below. The city had brought her nothing but pain and betrayal. She was determined to build a new life far away from it all.

Sitting in her seat, Olive thought about the events of the day. Frank’s accusations, Delilah’s taunts, and the revelation of her pregnancy weighed heavily on her mind. But she also felt a growing sense of resolve. She wasn’t the same naive woman she had once been. She had faced betrayal, humiliation, and doubt, and yet she was still standing.

As the plane soared through the clouds, Olive made a silent promise to herself. She would never let her past weighed on her, she will love for herself and her future.

By the time the plane touched down in New York, Olive felt a renewed sense of purpose. She was ready to fight for herself, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

As Olive exited the airport in New York, the evening city lights welcomed her. The bustling streets, the honking of cabs, and the chatter of pedestrians reminded her why she had chosen this city for her fresh start.

She hailed a cab and gave the driver the address to her apartment. During the ride, Olive's mind wandered back to the courtroom drama. She replayed Frank's smug expression, Delilah's mocking tone, and the judge's decision to adjourn the case for three weeks. Her lawyer, Helen, had done a stellar job defending her, but Olive knew she couldn’t keep avoiding the truth about her pregnancy.

“Pregnant…” she murmured to herself, her hand unconsciously resting on her stomach. The word still felt foreign to her and of all people Raymond stone she pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind.

Arriving at her apartment, Olive dropped her bag by the door and collapsed onto the couch. The events of the past few weeks had taken a toll on her, and exhaustion weighed heavily on her body. She closed her eyes, but sleep didn’t come easily. Her thoughts kept circling back to Raymond.

Picking up her phone, she hesitated for a moment before dialing Dr. Harris.

“Miss Bennett,” Dr. Harris answered after a few rings, his voice calm. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon.”

“Doctor, how on earth am I carrying Mr Raymond childs,” Olive said, her voice firm.