mumble into the tissue.
“It’s okay. When you’re ready, could you tell us about the night she disappeared?”
I nod and focus only on the prosecutor. I don’t want to look at my parents. I know my mum will be a complete mess. “Something with Abby had changed. She was a little happier, and she told me she was planning on leaving him.” I glance toward Jacob, giving him an ice-cold glare. I wish looks could kill. “I offered to go with her, but she assured me everything would be okay and she would see me later, but…” tears burn my cheeks again, “… later never came. I haven’t seen my sister since.”
The prosecutor thanks me and I’m allowed to leave the stand since Jacob’s lawyer has no questions for me. I return to my seat beside my mum.
Jacob is next to be called to the stand. When he gets up, he looks around at my family with a conceited look on his face. Arrogant arse. The anger within me is slowly reaching boiling point. I have so much hate and bitterness toward this man. I hope he gets what’s coming to him. I hope karma comes around and punches him right in the face. I’m not usually a violent person, but my parents and I have been through so much lately, and I can’t take much more.
Jacob is sworn in and takes his seat. His lawyer is first up with questioning.
“Mr. Smith, please tell the court your relationship with Abby White.” His lawyer is young, and I can only hope he’s fresh out of law school and does a terrible job.
“We were in a relationship, a happy one and so very much in love.” His voice is full of confidence. Liar!
He sits there all sure of himself, with his jet-black hair and shining fearless green eyes. If I had met him on the street, not knowing what I do now, I would have probably considered him a nice guy.
“Were you in any way abusive toward Abby?”
“No.”
“How do you explain the bruises?”
“Well, let’s just say she was a little clumsy at times and she also enjoyed things… rough.”
What? He is so full of it!
My hands begin to shake with my anger and I start looking at my hands, picking at my nails to keep my hands busy.
“Do you mean sexually?”
“Yes.”
There’s no way she was like that at all.
The questions continue to fly at him, and still he expresses no emotion as he sits up there and lies. All I hear are lies. They make my ears want to bleed. I hope they’re just as clear to the jury.
After both lawyers have finished, the jury is ushered away to make their decision. I sit in silence, praying it will all work out in our favour.
“Please stand,” I hear the court officer addressing the courtroom, pulling me out of my thoughts. I focus on the judge entering, followed by the jury. Feeling very anxious regarding the outcome, my heart is racing and my stomach is twisting in multiple knots.
“Please be seated,” says the judge, slamming his hammer down for order in the courtroom.
I actually feel like I might be sick or pass out—I’m not too sure at this point. Feeling my mother’s hand grab mine, she squeezes. It’s a good comfort, and I feel myself calm a little.
I gaze at my parents. Dad has his arm around Mum for support, and both look worn out from this whole ordeal, as I’m sure I do as well. Looking at Mum’s deep red hair, now with some grey streaks through it, I notice how similar we look with our hair and crystal blue eyes. Abby was the opposite, even though we were twins. We weren’t identical twins, but fraternal. She had beautiful brown hair like Dad. So she gained most her features from Dad, while I gained mine from Mum, but we had the same clear blue eyes.
As we sit, all I can do is hope Jacob is found guilty. Then justice will be served for my sister. I look over at him and he appears all calm and relaxed. He glances over his shoulder, catching my eye, and smiles. I feel the bile rise in my throat, so I quickly look away taking a few deep breaths to settle my stomach. I grip Mum’s hand harder.
“Has the jury reached a verdict?” asks the judge, looking toward the jury panel.
The spokesperson for the jury approaches the front, handing a piece of paper to the court officer,