Chapter 9

It judgment time......

Jade pov

Hancuffed, I was in the room I was first brought in for questioning. I was thinking about my dad's health I didn't hear William come in until he sat down and made a noise with the chair.

" Take off the handcuffs please" he ordered the security officer next to me. When she did he asked for some privacy and then she left.

" Prosecutor-Jade shipman" we both called each other.

" The evidence to support your claim has not yet been found" he continues.

Okay but I got something else on my mind right now.

" but are you still proclaiming your innocence?" he asked.

I responded with nothing but:

" My father, before I was taken away by cops was acting strange. He held on to his head and fell...." I was cut off.

" please only answer what I asked you." he gave me a look that showed me the cameras in the room.

But being too worried about my dad I continued.

" My father has not come to see me, he's not someone to leave me like this.

Lately he's been complaining of his head aching so much. " he cuts me off again.

" Enough! Miss Jade. Please acknowledge your guilt." he said ignoring what I was saying. I was shocked at his action.

I know I told him I'll take his blame, he doesn't have to be mean about it.

" Make a settlement, regretting your actions and requesting for an appeal is the way to reduce your sentence. "

Okay fine.

After this you have to listen to me.

" okay... Okay. I'm fine with whatever. No, I mean, I'm really sorry, I'm very sorry to the person who passed away because of me and her parents too. I'm sorry..... But please.... My dad.... I'm really worried.... He seems he's very sick and I'm not there with him and all please...... "

Was he gathering his papers? Is he about leaving.

He stood up.

" Mr William " I called. I had to stop him.

Calling his name about three times when he slams his right hand on the table startling me.

" Miss Shipman! Are you acknowledging the facts here?" he points at the papers but I just stare at him shocked. Really shocked.

" Please..... My dad... Is very sick" I continue almost in tears.

" Miss shipman!" he called hitting his hand once more on the table.

" I really think my dad is very sick!" I yell at him equally.

" Miss Shipman look here!" he pointed again at the papers. His eyes were pleading.

I look down at the papers he wrote : " Don't worry I'll take good care of him."

I met his gaze again, he was smiling a bit at me.

I nodded, I couldn't contain my happiness I smiled but not enough to give the security watching us suspicion.

Please do take good care of him. He's my life, my only family right now.

Four days later I was transported to the the court house, then will I know what's coming to me.

Third person pov

Meanwhile......

Jade's father took William words to try to make a settlement, he went to his soon to be in laws house borrowing some money after that he went around later on he was able to gather half a million dollars.

After he got the cash he went straight to the deceased mother's shop.

A 5 foot slim woman who's hair was packed in a rough ponytail wearing an apron, she looked lost, her nose red from all the crying her eyes swollen. She came out when she saw him.

" Welcome, what do you want?" she asked with no emotion in her voice.

" I'm sorry but um..." Jade's father didn't know how to start.

" Please if you're not buying anything I'd like to go back in." she said staggering going back in.

" Please! Accept this! " He said making June's mum stop at her track.

She turns round and saw he was presenting money to her, she was lost. Who was this man.

" What? " she asked.

" I'm.... Jade's father" he said.

" I don't follow." she said.

" The father of the woman who caused.... The death of..." he started but was cut off by the breaking down of the woman.

" Why are you here!" she screams. Catching everyone's attention.

" Killing my daughter isn't enough? Why do you think you can show your disgusting face here! " she continues crying even more.

She tried controlling herself. Looking at him with so much hatred.

" Please accept this." he tried again.

She collects the money and throws it onto the ground. He was quick to pick it up, it was so much money he didn't intend to loose it.

"Ma'am, please I've raised my daughter alone. My wife died when she was just 5 years old afterwards I raised my child by myself. How can I not know how you feel?" he went on his knees.

" I know nothing can be enough for you. A person's life..... Especially the young life can't be repayed with money. I know that this can't be a compensation. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'll do anything if you only make a settlement. She was getting married soon..... Please just this once.... " she cuts him off again.

" my daughter was killed..... But you want to save your daughter? For a person who raised a child alone how can you do that to me? My daughter...... How long was she there on that cold road! Your daughter that you're so proud of ran away leaving her behind to die in the rain. She couldn't even see her mother's face before she..... Died. Settlement? To save your daughter? It not enough to rip her apart! Money! It won't bring my baby back! Even if you bring a million dollar. I'm not agreeing on a settlement! No! I won't! Take your dirty money back. Take it and bring my daughter back only then..... " she burst into tears this time she couldn't control the tears flowing down.

" My poor daughter "

Jade's father stood up and was about walking away when he felt dizzy again, he ignored it and was about taking another step when he fell on the ground in the middle of the road. Those who were watching the drama that was on earlier because of June's mother scream, ran to help him out and he was immediately rushed to the hospital.

The court.

" All rise" the judges and lawyers walked in.

" Be seated." all sat down and waited for the hearing.

The judge started:

" Proceed."

" As of now, we will commerce a criminal trial in this district Court. Case number 521: special case of hit and run. Defendant Jade shipman please come up to the front. " William started.

Jade stood up still handcuffed to the front. She glance at William who refused to meet her gaze. She smiled a little.

We'll get through this. She said in her mind.

William walks up to the judge took a bow and went to Jade,meeting her gaze he had tears in his eyes trying to control himself.

He was about to sentence his girlfriend..... No soon to be bride just a month ago.

" Jade shipman's irresponsible behavior took the precious life of a young person and even took the precious life of the one yet to see the light. This is an absolute truth that can't be excused in any way." William took a deep breath to contain his tears.

" For this I Mr William on behalf of my prosecution team, sentences Miss Jade shipman..... " he turns away from Jade's gaze and faces the judge, took another breath before he said.

"..... To 5 years imprisonment" Jade closed her eyes taking in what he said, a tear dropped from her right eye. She opened her eyes and smiled at William nodding at him.

" Agreed" The judge banged his mallet on the table.

" Take her away."

Jade and William staring at themselves not leaving each other gaze as she was taken away. Before she was completely out of sight she smiled at him.

It going to be okay. She said in her mind.

Nathaniel came from behind William and tapped his shoulder, bringing William back to earth.

" You did well Mr William" this time he was facing him.

" I didn't know you'd do this so well. You left your personal emotions and stuck to the law. Am I stating the obvious?" Nathan asked smirking.

" What is it that you want to say to me?" William was about loosing it.

"......" Nathaniel wanted to respond but was interrupted by William's phone ringtone.

" Hello" William picked the call.

" Yes this is Mr William." he answered. He eyed Nathan one more time before walking away.

" You know Mr shipman right?" the person on the other end of the phone asked.

" Yes he's my father." he said.

" Well this is the hospital...." the person started before William hangs up and runs out of the court building.

" Taxi!" he called and got in rushing to the hospital.

This can't be happening. He thought.

Jade was taken to her room in cell. When the officer left seven women surrounded her. The leader who she thought spoke.

" Well well well we've gotten another member on our team. " The tough looking woman chuckled and moved closer to her.

" What is a beautiful young lady doing here and what crime did you commit to get yourself here."

Jade was quiet, she didn't want trouble.

" Well! I'm waiting" the woman shouts.

" Please I don't want trouble. Stay back" she moves back till her back kiss the wall.

" She killed someone boss" another lady spoke.

Guess she was right.

" Ohhh,looks can be deceiving. It now I finally got that." Boss said.

" you don't look tough. But it not really written on faces." She walk away as the other women have her space.

" If you please ladies,give her the welcoming gift. " She said and sat on one of the benches.

The ladies got even closer to her, unfortunately for Jade she was already blocked by the wall. She was immediately pushed to the floor. Kicks from left, right, up and everywhere were given to her. Jade covers her head with both her hands. That seems to be the only part she could protect.

" Enough!" The boss stops the beating given to her.

She moved closer and got down to meet her. She held Jade by her jaw.

" The rules here are just do what I tell you to. " Boss squeezed her chin.

Jade only smiled at her. Habits of Jade,even if she was having a hard time she smiles almost like she doesn't feel pain or anything doesn't matter but her smile.

" Oh you smiling now!" The woman stood up and signaled the ladies to go on.

" I don't think she's had enough yet. "

They proceeded with the beating,this time they got objects to beat her with.

" Officer! Officer! " An unnoticeable lady who was watching before called the officer close to their cell.

" They're about killing someone!" She screams.

"Shit!" Boss lady cursed.

The officer rushed over and stopped them, taking Jade away to the clinic where she was treated for the new wounds she'd gotten on the first day.

This is just day one of five years, was she going to survive this? She thought. This was her life now.

But it worth it. She smiles to herself while hissing at the sting which came from the wound.

Meanwhile at the hospital.......

"Yes sir. He was found at the middle of the road unconscious,we did some tests and we discovered he's being having frequent headaches and the result came out to be Alzheimer. Although there's nothing we can do, we can only try to maintain it. We'll need to operate on him as soon as possible. It could be worse. Please go to the registry they'll let you know what's needed. " The doctor he met explained.

Shit! Why do I have to face all these. Why now.

He's already old. I don't have that type of money to waste on him. William thought.

" The fuck am I doing?" He face palms himself. He'd just put his girlfriend in jail and now he can't even help her dying father?

But the money, he thought and walks to the registry.

" What do I need for the discharge of Mr Shipman. He just got here."

The nurse hands him some paperwork.

I'm sorry once again Jade for meeting a bastard like me.

____________________