NOT GUILTY

MARIANNE

I sighed in relief as I thanked Britney repeatedly.

"There's no need to thank me," she expressed. "You are my best friend and I will do anything for you."

The next morning, just as my lawyer had promised, I was arraigned before a judge. I had been restless throughout the night as it was my first time being in a cell. I tried not to cry because I knew it wouldn't help my situation. I convinced myself that I was just unfortunate. I never should have married Tony.

After the judge questioned me, I took a plea of not guilty. My attorney didn't seem pleased by that but I didn't care. No one was going to make me admit to something I never did.

Since it was my first appearance, I expected that I would be granted bail and allowed to show up in court from the comfort of my home during the preliminary hearings.

I planned to get the best lawyer for myself once I was released on bail and got access to my phone. However, nothing like that happened. The judge allowed a ten minutes recess and I was called back in.

The prosecutor began to speak and afterward called me to the docks to narrate everything that happened. Once I was done, he asked me to step down and return to my seat.

When I did, the prosecutor stated that he was calling one of the three witnesses he had for the day.

I turned to my lawyer to ask him why witnesses were being called in on the day of my first appearance but he ignored me, got up, and took another seat.

Since Britney was still sitting beside me and holding my hands, I relaxed. In the end, her testimony would set me free.

The first witness of the prosecutor walked into the court and it was none other than Tony's younger sister, Abby. Her eyes were puffy and I guessed it was because she had been crying.

I knew how much she loved Tony and how much he doted on her. I had done so much for her ever since I married her brother. I gave her boyfriend a job and had her on my payroll even though she did nothing but live a lavish lifestyle and spend above her means.

I was just a year older than her but she was practically my responsibility, and it was all because of my love for her brother. I waited for her to tell the court how amazing I had been to her and my late husband.

After taking her oath, however, the first sentence she made was, "Everyone knows that Marianne is an extremely mean and evil woman."

My eyes widened in shock and I could not believe my ears. Britney put her arm around me at this point and the black woolen jacket she wore, provided me with some warmth as I felt chilled to the bone.

Abby continued, "Just because she had more money than my brother, she threatened him often. While he was still alive, my brother complained to me a lot. He was tired of the marriage but he could not leave because he was scared that she would kill him.

Her wickedness pushed him to have an affair and finally, she killed him. She must pay for my brother's death.

"That is a lie!" I got up and spoke as I could not bear to hear any more of her lies. She was crying profusely, making her look like the truthful one.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I said, "I did nothing of what she has said. Tony and I never had issues. We were happy and loved each other. I am not evil or quarrelsome, even my employees can attest to that. My marriage was perfect and that was why I was so shocked when I saw the video of my husband's infidelity.

He was running down the stairs when he fell and died."

The judge who waited for me to finish said, "Mrs. Tony, you are not allowed to speak unless I give my consent. Don't repeat the mistake you have just made. Now sit down."

I quietly sat down and wiped my tears while Abby was taken off the witness box.

"I am going to call on my second witness for the day," the prosecutor continued.

I watched in surprise as my secretary, Mildred entered the courtroom and went straight to the witness box. She was one of the most loyal and competent people in my company and I treated her like my sister.

When her mum had cancer, Mildred had been devastated but I acted quickly. I started an international cancer foundation, spending millions of dollars to fund more research, ensuring that her mom got the best treatment.

Once her mom recovered, I let her stay away from work for six months so she could be with her mom and during that time, I ensured she was still paid her salary and gave her a lot of financial bonuses. I didn't know why she did not tell me that she would be testifying in court but I believed her words would prove how much of a liar and ingrate Abby was.

After taking an oath, Mildred began, "My boss Mrs. Tony, is a tyrant. She is evil and all the employees in her company are scared of her, including me. It was no secret that even her husband was terrified of her. I'm not surprised she killed him. She has a heart of stone and money is all she cares about."

"Mildred!" I got up and cried. "How can you tell such lies against me after all I've done for you?"

The judge got upset at this point and struck her table, "Silence! One more word from you Mrs. Tony and you will be held in contempt of this court. Sit down!"

I immediately sat down and wiped my face dry. There was no use crying over useless people. Once Britney gave her testimony and vindicated me, I would show them what a tyrant was capable of. I looked at Britney who gave me a reassuring smile. She was the only one I had left. I didn't know what I would have done without her.

After Mildred left the witness box, the prosecutor called on Britney as his third witness and I smiled. She patted my back and got up. Before approaching the box, she took off her black jacket and placed it on my hands.

She was wearing a long, sleeveless lemon gown and my gaze stayed on her as she entered the witness box. Once she was given a Bible to take her oath, my eyes caught a gold bracelet around her wrist.

I gulped as I recalled the sex video that was sent to me yesterday. It was at that moment I realized that I had seen that bracelet before on Britney's wrist. The same bracelet, the same slender wrist. Britney was the woman who had an affair with my husband.

I felt like I was seeing a movie. I wasn't able to react or do anything else. I watched silently as she took an oath, and afterward said, "I'm sorry, Marianne. I know you asked me to lie to everyone and cover for you. But I can't do that.

I am under oath, and your husband was a very good man. An innocent life was lost and justice must prevail.

Your honor, Marianne pushed her husband from the top of the stairs. She killed him with her hands and I witnessed it all."

I closed my eyes as tears once again rolled down my cheeks.