Xavier~
"Bella, please listen to me." I trailed her out of the house to prevent her from proceeding to the Supreme Court.
"Xavier, there's nothing left to say. Just when I need you the most, you're choosing your family over me." She sat in the driver's seat and ignited the car engine.
"You're misinterpreting me, Bella; I also wish to bring justice to Laila, but not at the expense of Lincon and Dixie's divorce." I pleaded with her to understand me.
"Thank you once again for clarifying your intentions." She slid the door mirror to close and subsequently departed from the house. In her anger, she refused to allow the driver to operate the car. I don't understand how she is going to drive the car with her fractured leg.
I let out a defeated sigh as her car left the house, and I made my way inside.
"Didn't she even listen to you?" Dad's frustrated voice echoed in the hall as he entered the house.
"No, Dad." I sat on the couch and shook my head.
"Xavier, you must stop her at all costs. You are well aware that Lincon and Dixie's divorce has the potential to ruin their children's lives, a scenario I do not want to witness."
Dad's concern is valid, but I can't compel Bella to comply, as she is not the type to blindly follow orders.
"Don't worry, Dad; let her do what she wants because I am sure she will not apply the request to reopen Laila's case." I settled into a comfortable position and folded my hand across my chest.
"How did you become so confident about this?" Dad gave me a puzzled look.
"Her decision to reopen Laila's case was entirely her own, but I do not doubt that she will reconsider when I'm not around." I smiled at my new and safe way to stop her from reopening Laila's case.
"Xavier, you've misunderstood her once more; once she makes a decision, it's nearly impossible to reverse it." Dad's solemn expression darkened his face.
"Dad, don't worry; I completely trust her," I reassured him by blinking my eyes, even as a gnawing unease tugged at my chest. I wanted to believe my words, but deep down, I knew Bella better than that.
"Xavier, if she reopens Laila's case, you'll face consequences for your failure to manage your wife." Dad threatened me. Although I don't understand why he is planning to stop Bella now, his commanding voice makes it clear that he wants to stop her at any cost.
"Dad, don't take so much stress; I am going to talk with Lincon." Before I left the house, I confronted him and gave him a shoulder pat.
"Thank God you came here, Xavier." When he saw me, Lincon hugged me.
"Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?" I questioned him.
"It all happened suddenly, and I never expected her to accuse me of domestic violence against her." Lincon broke off our embrace and confided in me about his worry.
"Have you spoken to Dixie?" I comforted him by holding his hand and giving him a shoulder pat.
"She didn't want to speak to any members of the Thompson family." He nodded his head.
Despite my pleading with Bella to accompany me to Lincon, she chose to go into the Supreme Court. Dixie treated Bella like her sister. I'm confident that if Bella had a conversation with her, Dixie would undoubtedly agree to take back her case. My frustration with Bella increased as I found myself incapable of helping my elder brother in this case.
"Relax, Lincon; we will find the best lawyer for you." When I saw Lincon's children staring at me with anticipation, I let out a deep sigh.
"Lawyer? Xavier, don't you stand up for me in court?" His confused gaze was fixed on mine.
"You are well aware of my record in divorce cases; I never won a single divorce case." I gave a shoulder shrug.
"But when it comes to handling divorce cases, your wife has a solid record." Lincon gave me another hopeful glance.
How I made such a promise on Bella's behalf, not knowing what she would decide, is beyond me. However, I shook my head to reassure Lincon that Bella would defend him in court, knowing she would do whatever it took to bring the Thompson family back together.
When I was returning from Lincon's house, a white Mercedes followed my car. I was well aware of who was inside the car, so I stopped my car on the roadside to talk with him.
"Did you like the gift I got you for your engagement, Xavier?" Jordan came out of his car and smiled evilly when he saw me.
"Jordan, what do you want this time?" I get frustrated every time I see him. I wanted to punch his face the moment I saw his evil grin, but I had to manage my anger issues because of my profession. Despite my intense desire to kill him, my awareness of protocol and law prevents me from touching him.
"I'm impressed, Xavier. You're learning to speak bluntly, just like your wife—or, to be more precise, your new fiancé." He let out another laugh, the sound grating against my nerves like nails on glass.
"Jordan, if you don't have anything meaningful to discuss, I'm going to leave." I walked to my car, shaking my head to control my frustration.
"I want my brother released from prison, and you must swear to me that you will not allow Laila's case to reopen at all costs. If you do not, I will ruin the Thompson family." His words brought me to a complete stop.
Jordan's voice turned colder, sharper. "I'll ruin every last Thompson. Your father, your brother—none of them - will escape. And Bella? She'll wish she never picked a fight with me. I'll make her regret every move she's made."
"Jordan, ask Dixie to take back her case; I promise you that Bella will not reopen Laila's case as far as its concern about Jonathan is concerned. He is a criminal, so he belongs only in jail." I gave him a fair offer.
"No, Xavier. I'm determined to get my brother out of jail, or else you won't know what I'm going to do next." He rejected my offer with a shake of his head.
I find myself entangled between my family members and their principles. Bella is unwilling to retract her statements. My dad did not want Lincon and Dixie to get divorced, and they were both right at their place. However, I'm not sure who I should be back this time around since I don't want to let my dad down, but I also don't want to hurt Bella again.
"Jordan, I promise you that Jonathan will be out of prison tomorrow morning. If he doesn't come out of jail, then I will defend him in court. But in exchange, you have to stop Dixie from getting divorced." I understand that it goes against my will and ethical principles, but during this challenging time, I have found a solution to this issue.
"Hmm, not bad, Xavier. I am impressed by your love for your family." He grinned triumphantly.
We made a deal and then walked toward our cars. That's when our phones buzzed with a new notification. After reading the most recent news, I instantly turned to face Jordan.
"It will be fun to watch you fight in court, Xavier Thompson." His laughter infused my tension even more.
I clenched my fists, rage swirling through me like a storm as I stared at the headline.
Laila's Case Reopened—New Evidence Submitted to Supreme Court.
Why did you do this, Bella?
My voice broke as the full weight of her actions crashed down on me. I could feel Jordan's eyes watching, his grin stretching wider as if he could see the chaos about to unfold.