#Chapter 13 - The Court

Dominic was the first person I noticed, but it was because he was seated in my direct line of sight as soon as I entered. The doors were closed behind us. We took our places, and as soon as the main judge, an older man who probably believed that women were only worth something if they were married, called the court in session, Philip started screaming. "My apologies for my wayward, stupid daughter for wasting the panel's time with this nonsense!" He snarled. "If anything, her fiance's family should be here to sue her for infidelity! I didn't raise her to be so blatantly whoreish or disrespectful to show up to this farce of a case flaunting her affair." I didn’t flinch at Philip’s outburst. I didn’t even acknowledge it. Instead, I kept my head high as I waited to be addressed, occupying my mind and energy with taking in the expressions of the council men. I didn't have to wait long for one of them to speak. “Renee Caldwell,” one of the council members snapped, his voice laced