CHAPTER THREE!

AURORA

I held the divorce papers in my hands as I was led out of the jail cell.

I'm in a cell after being accused of stealing a piece of jewelry, and my husband handed me divorce papers.

“Where am I going?” I ask the officer leading me.

“To the courthouse to get your sentence,” he said.

“I won't get a trial to prove my innocence?” I asked.

“According to the judge, the evidence is too overwhelming and the lady you sold to already took a plea bargain.”

“I didn't sell anything to anyone.” I stood my ground.

“When telling me won't do you any good. The law is the law,” he said.

“Then the law should protect me because I'm innocent.”

“Or you are just unlucky,” he mocked and his fellow officers laughed.

I kept my head down as the mockery intensified.

It's unusual for cops to joke like this. Katherine is probably behind this. She's been making my life a living hell ever since I married Jacob, and now she's getting the victory.

The journey to the courthouse wasn't far. A drive of about fifteen minutes and we got there.

I walked into the courtroom and the first thing I saw was the smirk on Katherine's face.

Jacob is here too, and he didn't spare me a glance.

My heart aches and yearns for him at the same time.

I can't believe I let myself fall in love with a man who doesn't love me or care for me.

A man I have done everything for. And would love to continue doing so if he would just love me back.

Even in the midst of all this, I just want him to look at me. I want him to see me. I want his eyes on me, not on the fact that I'm being taken away.

I was placed in the prisoner's box. This is a place I never dreamed I would be.

If I was ever to be in a courtroom, it is to claim what is mine, not to be taken to prison.

“The Judge is here,” I heard someone whisper.

“All rise,” the court officer proclaimed.

I didn't need to. I'm already on my feet, awaiting my sentence.

I felt the Judge's cold eyes on me and I stared right back at them.

He sighed and took a look at his document.

“In the case of Jacob Crane and family against Aurora Crane. This court finds Aurora Crane guilty.”

There were no remarks or murmurs, but Katherine's face showed victory and Jacob's face showed anger and hatred.

I turned to the Judge immediately, “I'm innocent, Your Honor.”

“You will be silent in my court!” He bangs his gavel.

“I viewed the evidence against you,” he said, “you are as guilty as any guilty man or woman. I know when a person isn't guilty and right now, you don't look innocent.” He smirks.

“This court sentences you to five years imprisonment, no parole.” A drop of hot tears landed on my face.

It felt like I was being slapped in the face as I heard his sentence.

I scoffed, five years. That's the amount of years I have been married to Jacob.

“Here,” I handed the divorce papers to the officer with me. I know Jacob won't speak to me or take it from me.

I began to walk out of the courtroom and Katherine stood in front of me.

“You shouldn't have married him. I warned you,” she said.

“So what?” I scoffed, “this is payback?”

“Payback is a bitch, huh?”

“Everyone has their day of victory. Today is yours,” I said to her.

“Every day will be my victory day because you are going to prison for a long time.” She laughed loudly.

“Five years is a long time and five years is what you stole from me.”

“What if I told the Judge exactly what you just said, huh?” I asked her, “What do you think he will say about my sentence?”

“What makes you think he will listen to you?” She smirks.

I got a flashback from when the Judge smirked at me and when I was being mocked by the officer.

It really has been her all this while.

“I hope putting me in prison is worth it, Katherine,” I said.

“Ohh, it will be worth it, because now, Jacob is all mine.”

I turned around to look at Jacob and his back was turned to me.

“Please, Jacob. Don't turn your back on me. I am your wife, please help me.” I cried out as I left the courtroom.

I began moving and got into the police van on my way to the prison. A permanent place I will be for the next five years.

I closed my eyes, hoping to disappear from this van and the horrors that await me.

The cold, metallic clang of the van doors shutting reverberated in my ears, signaling the end of one chapter and the beginning of a nightmare.

My thoughts raced, but one constant remained: I had to survive, not just for me but to expose the truth and reclaim the life stolen from me.

The ride to the prison was a blur. I focused on the rhythmic jolts of the van, each bump a reminder that I was still here, still fighting.

The guards exchanged indifferent glances, their faces masks of routine and resignation. I wondered if they had ever seen someone truly innocent among their charges.

Nothing seemed to have changed except the movements of the van in very rough directions.

“What is going on?” I tried to ask the officers in the driver's seat.

“Sit tight!” He yelled.

I could hear the sounds of other vehicles behind us and the sound of men shouting as well.

“What's going on?!” I screamed as the sound of scraping tires filled my ears.

I placed my head between my legs and covered my ears with my hands to protect myself, but the sound stopped on its own.

I brought my head up and saw the driver get out of the van with their hands up.

My fear kicked in and I started to run out of breath. Phase one of a panic attack.

I can't believe Katherine hasn't stopped messing with me. What does she gain by hijacking my police van?

But it isn't a hijacking; the police van stopped and the drivers both came out of it and opened the back door.

“Why have we stopped?” I asked. One of them came in and sat in front of me, and the other handed me a mask.

“What is this?” I asked with a disdainful look on my face.

“Wear it,” he acted like it was a command.

“I will not.” I stood firm. “Is this how you treat your prisoner?”

“Wear it. I will not ask again!” He yelled, frightening me.

I put the mask on, and he walked away and started to drive.

After a while, I started to feel lightheaded. “What's happening? Why am I feeling this way?” I asked the officer in front of me.

“Someone paid a fortune for you, and I intend to deliver,” he said.

My mouth couldn't move even though I wanted to ask questions.

Who will pay a fortune for me?

Where am I being taken to?

I felt myself beginning to lose consciousness. Tears gathered in my eyes, and I couldn't stop them from coming out.

“Please, I haven't done anything wrong,” I said as my eyes closed.