Husband With Benefits-Chapter 610: Prejudice (trigger warning)

Judge Holden looked at the people in front of her and sighed in frustration as she read the notes in front of her. It seemed Autumn Frost was intent on giving no access of the child to Gregory Savoy. This was not good. For a moment, the judge wondered if she should simply hand over the custody of the child to the father. After all, other than giving up his rights initially, there was nothing wrong with Gregory Savoy. And yet, she knew this would not be right. They would have to continue the legal battle. She hated this part of the job. When there was a clear way to compromise but one person seemed to be intent on proving that they were right.

"It seems we have not made any progress in mediation," she said, her voice stern. "Given the gravity of the situation and the welfare of the child involved, I expect all parties to conduct themselves with the utmost decorum. Mr Frost, you may present your client’s case."

Gabe stood up then," Your honour, I would request you to bring Mr Pierce back to the stand. His testimony was left in the middle."

"What is the point of Mr Pierce, Attorney. Mr Savoy has already given his statement."

"Your Honor, there are significant reasons why my client is unwilling to agree to even shared custody of her sister with Mr. Savoy. It’s crucial that the court understands the full context. Please allow me the time to present her side of the story through Mr. Pierce’s complete testimony."

As Pierce returned to the stand, Gregory Savoy sent them a considering look. What could Pierce have to say about anything?

"Mr Pierce? We won’t go around in circles. Were you ever in a relationship with Miss Autumn."

Pierce opened his mouth to refute but before he could, Gabe reminded him," Before you answer, please remember that you are under oath."

It took a few moments, but the man gulped and answered," I was."

"Before or after you got into a relationship with Miss Bianca?"

"Before Bianca..."

"So you broke up with Autumn and then started going out with Bianca?"

Again, another moment of silence. Autumn watched as Pierce clenched his hands and tried to look away from Gabe. How was this man not lying? Why was he speaking the truth. She frowned and tried to think what could have forced him to speak up but only watched for now. He would lie anytime soon now. Mrs Pearl valued reputation and if Pierce were to confess that he cheated on her and married Bianca, Mrs Pearl would probably kill him.

"I cheated on Autumn with Bianca." There were a few snickers in the background then as everyone realized that Bianca had just not been lying but actually making up an entire story, trying to make Autumn the third party when she was the one at fault.

"Why?" Autumn could not help but look at Gabe then. Why was he doing this? Where was this going? Gabe told her that he had Plan B. But what was this plan B?

"Why? What do you mean?"

"I mean what was the reason you cheated on Autumn. From what I understand you’re still attracted to her, you still want to be with her, so are you so weak of character that you could not..."

"Because Autumn was scared of being close to a man!" Pierce blurted out then." We were never together in the sense of a relationship! She..."

This time there were no murmurs or whispers in the courtroom as everyone stilled.

"What do you mean she couldn’t be with a man? I think everyone in the courtroom is aware of the rumors. Your own wife recounted them loudly."

Pierce shook his head then and elaborated," When we started a relationship, Autumn was always wary and did not like to be touched. It took a long time for her to even adjust to holding hands or having my hand around her shoulder. At first I thought that it was becasue she was shy. However, slowly we got past that. But then... something happened on her eighteenth birthday."

"What?"

Autumn looked down then, her hands clenching on her lap. She knew now what the plan B was. Gabe had warned her that she would speak up. Since they did not have any proof, she would have to tell everyone what had happened. Only then they would be able to cast reasonable doubt. But despite his warning, she’d convinced herself that she would not have to explain her own pain.

"On the night of her eighteenth birthday, someone entered her room. She was sleeping and the person tried to force himself on her."

"And how do you know this?" Gabe asked slowly...

"She...I planned to give her a surprise and climbed up to her window before I could show myself, I saw her struggling against a man... His hand was on her mouth and he was..."

Autumn’s head snapped up. Pierce was lying.. Why was he lying. She looked at him then, but his own head was bowed. Had Gabe forced him to lie? How could this be...

"What did you do? You jumped in to save her?"

Piece shook his head then," I didn’t... I was too scared."

"So, you let your girlfriend in the hands of her attacker and fled? Without doing anything to save her?"

"No! I didn’t! I did something to save her..."

"What did you do?"

" I went to Autumn’s mother’s window and banged there. I was scared she wouldn’t hear or maybe the other man would and then things would be bad. But I couldn’t not do anything. I sent Aunty to her room and then I ran from there."

"You didn’t think that the attacker could have harmed Autumn’s mother as well, Pierce? Why call her mother and not the police?"

"Because the man in the room was the head of the police station!"

Pierce bit out as he raised his head and glared at the man on the opposite side... "That man was no other than Autumn’s step father. Gregory Savoy."