Chapter Eighteen: Colette

The room is silent. I stare out the window of the hospital room from my bed. Flowers from people I don't even know decorate the window ledge. Sympathy cards lining along the front of the vases. Its been four days since we executed our plan to bring down my estranged husband. I've had no contact to the outside world, my phone taken by the police for them to look over the evidence. Every day an officer has come by to ask me questions, not once divulging what is happening with the case. Ali spent a lot of her time by my side until the doctor ordered she rests and sees a psychiatrist after the ordeal she went through. Apparently she was grabbed and dragged into the back of a van when she was leaving to meet me after Elijah and I put on a show for the paparazzi. Luckily a passerby called the police after seeing her dragged inside the van before it spread off in the opposite direction. If it wasn't for that person and the police finding the van quickly, God knows what would have happened to her.

"Mrs Mcmannon."

I turn my head to the officer now standing in my doorway.

"I have nothing else to tell you."

I fight back the tears.

"Thats not why I'm here. There's someone who wishes to see you," she steps to oneside, allowing a tall figure to enter the room. Bruised, Chocolate eyes meet mine and the world stops. Without giving a second thought, I tumble from the bed to get to him.

"Elijah!" I cry, slumped in a heap on the cold, hard floor. He tosses the flowers onto the chair by the bed and drops to the ground beside me. His arms pulling me onto his lap as I sob uncontrollably.

"I'm here. It's all over now. You did it. You're free." He coos, smoothing my hair as I cling tightly to him.

"I'll let you two have a moment."

The door slides shut as we entangle ourselves in one another.

"I was so scared. I thought- I thought he was going to kill you."

"Do you think I'd be so easily taken down? By someone who only knows how to hit women at that," he muses, a soft chuckle vibrates through his chest. I lift my head and lay claim to his lips. My kisses are sloppy and desperate. I had convinced myself that he was being portrayed as the bad guy. That he would be locked away for me to never see again. I was scared. Terrified of being without him. That man who has watched me week in week out for months.

"Shhh. I'm here."

He stares at me from the chair beside the bed in his slightly creased suit and damp shirt I sobbed my heart into.

"They're really going to prosecute him for everything?"

"They are. Thanks to your recording on your phone, him sexually assaulting you and practically bragging about the abuse he put you through, they think they could get him ten years max."

I should be feeling relieved but my chest feels heavy.

"It's really over."

"You're free, Colette. Well, once you file for divorce. But the courts have already put a restraining order against him."

"And what about you?" I fiddle with my fingers awaiting his response.

"Well. That depends on what you want."

I frown, puzzled by his response.

"What I want?"

He reaches forward, taking my hand to prevent me from making the skin around my fingers bleed from the excessive picking.

"What do you want me to do now? I can disappear and you can start a clean slate or…"

His grip tightens.

"You can allow me to stay by your side and spend my life making yours happy."

My heart skips a beat. He wants to stay with me?

"Really?"

He nods, dimples appearing in his cheeks. He really wants to stay by my side? I should be happy but after all that's happened, I'm not sure i can trust another man again. As though sensing my turmoil, he takes back his hand and loosens the tie around his neck.

"Of course, you should take time to heal and think about what it is you truly want. I won't hold it against you, whatever you decide."

The fabric of the hospital blanket scrunched as I tightened my grip on it. There's only one thing I really need to know before I can make my mind up.

"Do you love me?" I ask quietly, squeezing my eyes closed as I wait for his answer. He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck before giving me his answer.

"I definitely have feelings for you. You drive me insane. But I can't tell you it's love as I've never felt this way before."

"I understand."

"Don't get me wrong,"he cuts me off. "I've been with a substantial amount of women, but none have driven me mad like you. Not one woman has had me feeling as though I could be by their side. To grow old with them. Not until you."

He's never known what love is yet he describes it perfectly.

"Then I'd like it if you stayed by my side because I... I know that I am… in love… with you."

I want to hide beneath these covers, embarrassed by my declaration. For a moment he stays silent.

"Then I shall stay by your side and learn what it is to really love you." He stands from his seat, leaning forward and gently touching my cheek.

"I want to have a fresh start. To make you happy. To love you endlessly."

A stray tear slips down my delicate cheek and he takes me. He takes my lips as if sealing his promise to me. For the first time in over a decade, I can see happiness in my future.

It was a long trial, dragged out over 4 months. Countless witnesses, paper, audio and video evidence and testimonies read out in court. It turns out not only had I suffered at the hands of Howard, but he had been tax-evading as well as fathering a handful of children that resulted in him paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep the mothers quiet. Scandal after scandal was plastered on every paper, magazine and tv outlet. The once powerful King now sits before the judge and jurors, awaiting his verdict. The ache that once consumed my chest when I'd look at him no longer exists. I sit anxiously awaiting the result. Finally the jurors enter the court room. It falls silent instantly, everyone hanging on the edge of their seats.

Guilty.

On all Accounts.

Those little words lift this insufferable heavy load that has sat on my shoulders for too long. I can breathe for the first time. I watch Howard. His unwavering composure as he is handed an 8 year sentence. Whispers echo around the courtroom as the man who has controlled my life for 14 years is jailed.

As expected I'm flocked by journalists when I leave the court house. Questions are thrown at me as police officers shield me from the many journalists. Standing outside a black Porsche with glasses shielding her eyes, Alison holds the door open for me to dive inside. She's quick to start the engine and puts her foot down on the gas before anyone could get a chance to block our escape.

"8 years. All he gets is 8 years when you've suffered for longer," she mutters to herself, fuming that he didn't get longer.

"And god knows what happened to that bastard Maciek." She side eyes me, her hard face softening when I give her a small smile. "Are you ok?" she gently pats my leg. I place my hand on hers and give it a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm surprisingly… ok. For the first time in a long time. We can live, Ali. We can live in peace."

Her cheeks bunch up around her eyes, her mood from a moment ago vanishing.

"Well when you put it like that. I guess we have a lot of celebrating to do. Let's go to Man-wa's. I think all-we-can-eat Chinese is the perfect way to end the day."

"I couldn't agree more."

The car slowly rolls to a stop before she pulls up in front of the family-owned Chinese. My stomach grumbles at the thought of all the fried goodness I'm about to consume. Upon entering, my jaw drops. Candles light the entire room. Around the edges are all the people who testified, who have supported me every step of the way. The ones who came forward after sitting quietly when I suffered the abuse, whonpleadong his guilt for my sake. My mother and father stand smiling widely. The guilt they felt not realising what I had been enduring was heartbreaking. They had apologised and cried with me. Reassuring them that it wasn't their fault was hard. But in amongst it all, stood in the middle, shining the brightest, was him. His smile illuminates his handsome face, his eyes twinkling. I smile, a laugh slipping out at the banners that read "Freedom". Cheers erupt. Poppers shoot confetti all over the place. I'm encircled by everyone here, filling me words of congratulations and encouragement. But there's only one thing I want to do right now, and that's to go to the man hanging back. I kiss my mum and dad on the cheek as the envelop me in a tight hug. My life can finally begin.