31. Family and Broken Bonds

"He's gone."

Hours had passed and the destruction in the city was restored.

But Felix Graham De Vanily, he was no where to be found.

"We will continue with the trial. The police force will continue investigating his disappearance and he will be allowed to continue his testimony as soon as he is brought back to safety." The judge announced and the trial commenced.

"Who is next now that Felix is gone?" Marinette leaned over and whispered in your ear.

"Shouldn't you be out there, I don't know, super hero-ing?" Luka leaned in and asked.

You smirked.

"Some people don't deserve saving." She leaned back against her seat with a grumble.

"I don't think they said who is up next." You responded in a whisper.

Your eyes trailed towards the front of the room and you saw two prison guards lug Gabriel up towards the spot each witness has been seated.

You gulped, hard. "Well shit."

**

"Yes, my name is Gabriel Agreste."

Will you state your relation to Adrien Agreste and you belief in his involvement in this crime." The defendant requested.

"He is my only son, and he was not involved." His voice was as firm as it always was. Nothing noticeable about him had changed. He still held himself high and he moved with poise, even with an officer clinging to his arm the entire time.

The only difference you noticed was the addition of stress lines to his face and his hair only grew grayer from the stress of the past few weeks.

"So you claim to have done this alone?"

"Yes."

You blinked hard.

"I thought Mayura was his employee?" Luka asked and you nodded slowly.

"That's what they said."

"What about Mayura? Is she simply a result of your power?"

"I'm here to speak about my son, that is a completely different trial." Gabriel seethed.

"The information is still relevant-"

"My son was not involved, I would not allowed it. Everything I did was to make a happier life for him and bring my wife back. Please, don't make this about her too. I cannot bear ir."

Adrien's eyes softened as they laid on his father, who refused to look at him.

He cursed the feelings of love and guilt that tried to resurface—he deserved this. He would always deserve this.

**