Acts of Redemption by Eleanor Aldrick
Five Months Later...
Staring into the lifeless eyes of my ex-husband, I feel nothing but disgust.
It’s been months since the loss of my baby’s life, and to say that I’ve moved past the grief and heartache would be a blatant lie.
Yes, seeing Preston’s face as the judge signed our divorce decree was satisfying. And yes, watching Preston and Michaela being carted around in an orange jumpsuit did make my lip twitch in an almost smile—but not one day goes by where I don’t mourn the loss of our unborn child and the life he could’ve had.
Despite time failing to bring me any peace, it has brought me one thing. Clarity.
These two monsters sitting in this courtroom are the epitome of what is wrong in our world. It was their narcissistic, selfish, and destructive behavior that caused this tragedy—and I’m here to make sure they pay for every second of pain they’ve inflicted.
A door opens behind the stand and a white-haired man in a black robe enters the room, ready to deliver the jury’s verdict. It’s been a long and painful road to where we are now, with so much deceit being unearthed.
The least shocking of all was finding out that Preston was the one behind the kidnapping. He’d enlisted Michaela’s help, but to his dismay, she had her own plans. Wanting vengeance, she deviated from their plan and hauled me into an office instead of delivering me to Preston who’d been waiting out in the parking lot.
My hand flies to my chest as Aiden’s hand rubs gentle circles on my back, trying to soothe the sharp pain that’s become a constant companion to my life.
“All Rise,” the bailiff calls as we all stand, awaiting the judge to take his place behind his gavel.
“You may be seated.” Clearing his throat, the judge looks at the file in front of him before his eyes fall on the wretched duo in the orange jumpsuits. “The Court has reviewed the verdict and finds it in order. Defendants and counsel, please rise.”
Both Preston and Michaela as well as their counsel stand up, facing the panel of jurors who will issue their finding.
Once everyone is situated, the judge instructs the jury. “Foreperson, please go ahead and read the verdict.”
“Yes, your honor.” A middle-aged woman with short brown hair stands tall, both of her hands tightly gripping on to the piece of paper in front of her. “We the people find the defendants Michaela Rodriguez and Preston Rutherford, guilty of aggravated kidnapping under section twenty of the Texas Penal Code.”
The whole room bursts into loud chatter while the judge brings down his gavel, trying to silence the room, and letting the woman continue only once everyone has quieted down.
“We the people find defendants Michaela Rodriguez and Preston Rutherford, guilty as to the charge of murder under section nineteen of the Texas Penal Code.”
The whole room erupts into even louder chatter, and the judge is forced to bang his gavel once more. “Order in the court, or I will force everyone out.”
I understand the reasoning behind the uproar. Texas is one of twenty-nine states which allows murder charges for the death of an unborn child. It can be quite controversial to some, but in my eyes, it’s justice.
These two don’t get to walk away with a simple two year sentence for kidnapping. No. They deserve to face the full extent and wrath of the law.
I cling on to Aiden as the judge issues further instructions to defendants’ counsel regarding phase two of the proceedings, where sentencing will take place. Thanks to the guilty verdict for the charge of murder, they each face up to ninety-nine years in jail.
Aiden’s arm wraps around me, holding me tight. His tears wet my face as he places a firm kiss on my forehead. “For our baby.”
“For our baby.” Closing my eyes, I bury myself deeper into him, letting my face rest in the crook of his neck.
Knowing that Preston and Michaela have had their lives destroyed and will be sentenced to prison brings me a little solace, but nothing this court could provide would ever bring our baby back.
There’s a hole in my heart that will never be filled, a void that will forever belong to a life that never touched this earth.
My little angel.
