Too Late for Regret novel Chapter 78

Why Am I here?”

Chapter 78

Tiffany’s POV

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Why is she bringing up the past? It was a freaking decade ago, and it wasn’t even pertinent anymore. It was just a little bullying, not a big deal. I hadn’t really done anything to her; it’s water under the bridge, now. She can’t use that against me anymore. I hadn’t done enough to her for it to result in a damn trial.

I thought this trial was just for the incident that happened at Holden’s restaurant. There was no proof of what

I’d done, as I had wiped the evidence. It was a complete waste of time to bring us all here, but once it started,

it would be over quickly. It would become her word against mine, but she had no proof. I have no idea what

Ana is trying to do to me. But I won’t just sit here and let her destroy my reputation because she’s being a

whiny little b***h. That won’t be happening.

As her attorney continued to speak, he was acting like I was some sort of vicious criminal. I don’t have time

for this. I used the notepad in front of me to write down what I wanted to say. My attorney, Craig Stevens, had

told me not to speak out in court. He also instructed me not to contradict anything that the opposing counsel

said. He warned me that they would be trying to get a rise out of me, to make me look bad. He advised me to

stay calm and quiet. He didn’t want anyone overhearing me or reading my lips. He told me to cover anything I

said with scribbles.

I thought he was overreacting, but hearing Ana’s attorney paint me as a jealous, vicious woman infuriated

1. me. I’m not jealous of that fat ass at all. Why would he even say that? She sat there like she had been so

hurt. Oh, boo hoo, stop crying over it, it’s done and over with. There’s nothing to cry about. I just want to know why she’s doing this now. Doesn’t she care how people will look at me after this? I’m never going to let her off

the hook. As soon as we get this trial over with, I’m going to make her so sorry she did this. She knows better

than to cross me. I suppose she became more confident after marrying her bodyguard, but he can’t be with

her all the time. I got to her once already with him around; I can do it again.

I faced the front and schooled my features. I looked at a spot above the judge’s head and focused on the

wall. I was surprised when they called Gretchen to the stand. I thought he would just let Ana whine for a little

while, and this whole thing would be over. I don’t know why he could eall Gretchen up there, but I know that

she has my back. I relaxed back into my chair.

“Ms. Loomis, what kind of relationship did you have with Ana Caldwell in school?” her attorney asked.

“We didn’t hang out if that’s what you’re asking. She was a friend of a friend,” Gretchen replied.

“So she was friends with Tiffany Vaughn?” he suggested.

“Oh God no, Tiffany can’t stand her,” Gretchen replied. Only realizing too late that her response wasn’t helpful. She then tried to correct it, “I mean, we didn’t hang out with her. She’s younger than we are.”

So much for having my back. We didn’t discuss this because neither of us anticipated her being called up to testify for anything. I barely managed to keep from rolling my eyes. We’re not off to a good start.

“You and Tiffany are best friends, right? All through high school, until the present, correct,” he asked.

“We are,” Gretchen answered.

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<Why Am I here?”

“So you were with her most of the time, in high school?” he asked.

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“Yes,” Gretchen answered. This is better. She is giving short answers that won’t incriminate her or me.

“So you were aware of the bullying that Tiffany did to Ana Caldwell?” he asked.

Gretchen was thinking about her answer before she spoke. I was glad that she did that, but it was clear after

a minute had gone by that she didn’t know what to say. We both knew that he was trying to trap her.

“Ms. Loomis, you need to answer the question,” the judge instructed.

“Specify bullying. I don’t know what you’re referring to,” she finally said.

“I would be glad to do that, Ms. Loomis. Did you ever see Tiffany physically harm Ana Caldwell? Did she ever

make fun of her for gaining weight after the bullying started? Did she ever tear or ruin Ana’s clothing? Did she

draw words on her face? Of tear up any of her school books? Did you ever see her go past all that and bring

people in to mock her in the gym? Like when Ana was undressed? Both males and females invited inside the

girl’s locker room to mock and belittle her?” he asked.

He was firing off question after question like he knew everything that I’d done to her. As if he had been there

with us and knew every single thing I’d put her through. I shifted in my seat for the first time. I was nervous.

My attorney wrote a question mark on his notepad and glanced over at me. I can’t admit what I did now. Not

after I’ve been telling him for over a month that I hadn’t done anything to Ana. I can’t backtrack now. It was a decade ago; what are the chances she has any evidence to prove what happened?

“Ms. Loomis, you need to answer the question. You were warned about lying when you took the oath.

Attorney Briggs was very specific. You need to answer his questions,” the judge prompted.

“I know that Ana had been bullied. I had seen her at school during my senior year. Someone had messed up

her clothes a few times, and I saw words written on her a couple of times. But I didn’t see who did it. There

were several people at school who didn’t like her. I even saw pictures of Ana after we graduated, where

someone continued to do that to her. So whoever did it in her senior year was probably the one who did it. I

can’t say that I witnessed Tiffany doing anything like that to Ana,” Gretchen finally answered.

“So, if I had other witnesses, ones that went to school back then with you. They would say the same?” he

asked.

I saw Gretchen look around the room, but there weren’t many people here in the courtroom. I turned around

to look as well. I was worried that he had someone here who would admit to what we had done. I was even

more afraid that they had some of the videos we made while I dealt with Ana. That would really be the worst–case scenario. But I only saw my parents behind me. I then saw my brother sitting next to Seth, behind

Ana. What a f*****g slap in the face, Why in the hell is he over there?

“If I didn’t see it, how could I testify I did. Tiffany is my best friend and a good person. She wouldn’t do something like that to someone. You can’t force me to lie about my best friend,” Gretchen cried out.

“Your honor, I would like to admit ry first two exhibits at this time,” her attorney advised.

A monitor lit up, and when the video started playing, I felt sick. Ana walked down the hall at my brother’s restaurant, headed to the restroom. Gretchen and I were about three minutes behind her. I knew what

happened, but this video was supposed to have been deleted. I made sure of that myself.

I looked at Holden, who was watching the screen intently. This isn’t good at all. We walked out laughing a few minutes later. Ana’s bodyguards ran down the hallway and entered the bathroom. The one who married her

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Why Am I here?”

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ran out with her in his arms, bleeding and unconscious, with blood on his hands. This doesn’t look good at

all. Then things got worse.

I heard my voice fill the room. I was saying horrible things. How did she have this? Did that b***h record me? I was glaring at her when my attorney gently tapped me on my arm to get my attention. He glanced at the jury, and I turned back to the front and stayed quiet. This was bad, so bad. I couldn’t even look at the jury, but I felt

their eyes on me.

“As you know, I had the video and audio authenticated as untouched. The men who verified them are here

and waiting to be questioned. But Ms. Loomis, you were there. You watched Tiffany do this to Ana just five weeks ago. Is your memory faulty? Or did you forget it even happened?” he asked.

“That footage was deleted, I saw her do it,” Gretchen replied. She was caught off guard, and she had no idea

what she was saying.

“Bailiff, take Ms. Loomis into custody for perjury. Take her to one of the cells, and I will decide her

punishment later. We have several other witnesses to go through to determine the depth of lies Ms. Loornis made on the stand,” the judge requested.

“No, you can’t do this to me. I didn’t realize,” Gretchen cried out.

“No, Ms. Loomis, you didn’t realize. You are now in contempt of court for perjury, and that’s a serious charge.

You swore to tell the whole truth. I’m quite sure your whole testimony was a lie. I’ll wait to make that decision

until all of the testimony has been gathered. Please take her away,” the judge replied.

“Tiffany, you said they didn’t have anything. Don’t let them do this. You promised to take care of me. Don’t let

them send me to prison,” Gretchen’s panicked voice filled the room as she was handcuffed and led out.

Great, this is not going how I thought it would. The footage was gone. How did her attorney end up with it? L know that b***h recorded us now. No one else was there; it had to be her. I wish I had known what she was

doing. I would have taken her phone away before we left. I underestimated her. She’s always complied before,

but now it’s like she wants to tear all of us apart.

I heard my mother sob, and turned to see my father wrapping his arms around her to comfort her. But I noticed that they had moved. No one was sitting on my side anymore. My parents were now sitting behind the Caldwells. It was crystal clear that they were no longer supporting me. How can they do this to me? I’m being humiliated, yet they’re now supporting the one who’s humiliating me. I’m their daughter; they’re

supposed to protect me.

How can they do this? I heard the door open and footsteps entering the room. I turned to see who entered, and my heart stopped. The three of them entering lets me know what her attorney was about to do. I need to put a stop to it, right now. Because even if Ana didn’t have proof of what happened that day, they did. I wish I’d left her alone. I just wanted to feel superior to her for once. I’ve hated her since she arrived and took all their attention away. With this turn of events, I know Gretchen and I are in deep trouble.

KatVonBeck

#Vote# Thank you to Annmarie Stevens, Michelle Orwig–Judd, and Audrey Stanley for messaging me that my book had been stolen. Thank you for the helpl