When it was his turn to question Mr. McCall, the defense pushed him hard, trying to manipulate his testimony.
But fortunately for us, Mr. McCall, although scared, refused to retract his statement. He stood his ground, insisting that what he told the court was the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
As time went by, I provided more evidence linking Vika to the cases of human trafficking across the city. Piece by piece, the structure of his defense began to crack, leaving him frustrated and furious.
In my closing statement to the jury, I said, “This case isn’t complicated. It’s simply a matter of power. For years, thisman, Viktor Tarasov, has indulged himself in this inhumane act, believing he would always get away with it.”
July smiled at me across the room.
“But not today,” I said. “Today, all those victims finally get the justice they deserve.”
The judge adjusted her glasses and scribbled something down on her notepad. She turned to the jury box and said, “Members of the jury, the case is now in your hands. Make the right decision.”
The jury retired to the jury room to deliberate on the case. My only concern was that they weren’t already compromised.
We sat in our seats for almost forty-five minutes, waiting for them to reach a verdict. July chewed on her nails, her feet tapping rapidly against the floor.
“Hey,” I called softly, wearing an encouraging grin. “Relax. Everything’s gonna be all right.”
“I sure hope so,” she whispered to herself.
The inner doors opened, and they all stepped in, heading back to their seats. I clenched my fists, my pulse quickening as the moment of truth arrived.
“Fuck, I’m scared,” July murmured, anxiety washed over her face.
“On the matter before the court,” one of them began, his voice as flat as the expression on his face.
The air was thick with tension; breaths ceased, hearts racing in anticipation.
He continued, “We, the jury, find the defendant….”
A pause.
I could literally hear my heart pounding like a freaking drum.
“Guilty.”
“Oh, thank God.” July breathed a sigh of relief, a hand on her chest.
“Fuckin’ bitch!” Vika snapped on the other side, eyes flashing with rage. “This changes nothing!”
Some officers rushed over and seized him before he neared our table.
“Let go of me!” he barked, struggling to set himself free. “And you.” His fiery gaze fell on July.
She held on to my arm, hiding behind me.
“You think she’s some kind of hero?” He laughed. “You’re even dumber than I thought. She doesn’t give a shit about you or the other girls. If she did, she wouldn’t be marrying my cousin—a man worse than me!”
Fuck.
I locked my jaw, seething in silence.
“What, you don’t believe me?” He met July’s gaze. “Ask her—she’s right in front of you. Ask her who her fiancé is!”
The officers dragged him away, but he kept yelling. “You’re just like the rest of us, Kiera—cold, ruthless, and manipulative. Welcome to the family!”
I lowered my head, fingers pinching the bridge of my nose.
