Too Late for Regret novel Chapter 80

The Evidence Continues to Grow

Chapter 80

Ana’s POV

It was hard to listen to them speak. That moment was one of the most traumatic of my life. I’d been scared that I was going to be violated that day. I think if any of them had shown any interest in wanting to have s*x with me, Tiffany and Gretchen would have helped them get that done. They would have liked nothing more than to try to ruin me completely in Holden’s eyes. The double standard was shocking, considering what

Holden and Seth were doing in college.

I doubt that I’ll ever be able to get over it. It lingers in the back of my mind like a specter. I dread when those nightmares will return, but know in my heart they will. The fun isn’t over yet, as I will have to take the stand myself. I will have to speak out about what she did.

I already know that I will have to look at Charlie while I do that. I know that my parents and Tiffany’s are going to be crushed by what I have to say. Rodney coached me. He told me to take my time and just tell the truth. We will be reviewing the text threats that I received this afternoon. But first, we review all the photos I

took of what she did to me, along with the accompanying documentation.

I will also have to go over what she asked her little friends to do, as they were the ones to take the stand next. I knew the lineup; this was just the beginning. I knew I had to sit here, as they confessed to what they did. All six of them swore that Tiffany had told them to do it, had instructed them on what to do. They just hadn’t saved the evidence. It was their word against hers. The proof of her actions had already been exposed. It wasn’t a stretch for the jury to realize she was behind it. But we’re not even close to done at this point.

Tiffany had wanted everyone to believe that I had made up this whole thing. From her parents to mine, she firmly believed that I had no proof of any of it. She tried to act like I was just seeking attention when she spoke of the trial in the weeks previous. Even bold enough to visit my parents and ask me to withdraw my claims. Telling them that if she had done anything to me that she was just messing around with me. That her

actions had never been that serious.

As the ninth person took the stand, she looked like she was about to explode. I think with a few more pushes, she would do just that. I will be happy to give her that final push over the edge, so everyone here can see what a viper she truly was. I knew I was up next, once the last woman had finished her testimony. Hers had been the most convincing testimony so far, as she knew the most, and her words were doing the most

damage.

་མ་འ བ་ལ་གང་

Tiffany was the former cheer captain. She passed the baton down to Heather, with the caveat that she had to keep the bullying going. Heather was happy to take the deal at the time. I was in the bathroom when their deal was made, and the only other person to know exactly why she was so willing to do as Tiffany asked.

Thankfully, when Rodney’s investigator tracked her down, she still felt guilty over what she had done. It didn’t absolve her for what she did. But I didn’t have to tell her that I forgave her. I didn’t have to speak to her at all.

I She was still friends with the women she used to carry out Tiffany’s wishes, and even asked them to testify. I’m quite sure that Heather thinks that I’m going to thank her, or forgive her, for admitting the truth. That’s not

going to happen.

Only one of them had apologized to me while on the stand. Only one of the six knew how badly they treated

1/3

< The Evidence Continues to Grow

More Rewards >

1. me. They didn’t know how hard my life was. I had to run to my next classroom to avoid being singled out. Having to watch to confirm when the restroom was clear, when they would take up half our lunch period to refresh their makeup. I was their prey. They reveled in my fear, at the time. They thought that destroying my life was a fun thing to do.

I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive them for what they did. I was still angry with my parents for not realizing the depth of what I went through. I was still struggling to fully forgive them. They honestly didn’t want to know what happened to me. Their concern over the possibility of losing their friends overrode their willingness to explore the root cause of my drastic change in behavior.

“Mrs. Johnson, just to clarify something, as I’m confused. You said that Tiffany was the person who forced you into doing this to Ana?” Rodney asked.

“Yes, she did,” Heather answered.

“But why did you agree to it?” Rodney asked.

“Well, it was because Tiffany’s brother, Holden, had been forced into an arranged marriage with Ana. Her family was, and still is, one of the most powerful in the city. Tiffany explained how heartbroken Holden was that he couldn’t fall in love with a woman of his choosing. We all thought it was unfair for him to be forced into marrying her. She didn’t deserve him, no matter what her family name was,” Heather replied.

Her answer was as expected. Half the school knew he was my fiancé, and they were jealous of me because of it. It made it easier for them to bully me. Excusing their actions with the fact that they were only doing it to win his favor. They wanted to rescue him from my clutches, like I was the one who had come up with the idea, I was a young teenager when our mothers came up with the idea. I hadn’t pushed for it; they had.

But Tiffany had lied to them. Implying that if they could help get him out of the arranged marriage, they might be able to replace me as his bride. I knew that this information would come out once Rodney said he was gathering the witnesses. I was planning on it. Everything I went through ultimately came back to our mothers wanting our families to be bound together. They wanted their friendship to carry on forever, and that was the way they decided to carry it out.

The decision had never truly been mine. I had been manipulated into accepting the offer. I had waited for Holden to agree before I foolishly agreed to it. Thinking that he actually cared enough about me that he was

willing to accept me as his bride. I never knew he had been forced into it. I swear that if I had, I would never have agreed to it. I was young and naïve enough to believe that he cared for me. I wanted to believe that so

badly. I was caught up in the fantasy of it because I truly wanted to be Holden’s wife. I was wrong about a

great many things.

“So, your reason for doing it was because you wanted to save Holden from Ana. Are you sure that you had no other reason that compelled you to help Tiffany?” Rodney pressed.

“Objection, your honor. Asked, and answered. Counsel is harassing the witness,” Tiffany’s attorney spoke up.

“That’s fine, you don’t have to answer that. But, before you step down, Mrs. Johnson. I want you to hear our next piece of evidence,” Rodeny told her and nodded for it to be presented.

Tiffany’s voice was loud through the monitor. The video started as she was speaking mid–sentence. I hadn’t expected to get proof in the bathroom that day. “Yeah, I already told you I would, but you need to keep it down. I don’t want anyone to know about our deal. You just make sure that they know that they might have a shot with Holden. I’ll make sure you replace me as the next cheer captain.”

2/3

< The Evidence Continues to Grow

More Rewards

Heather’s voice came through next, “I’ll do it, but don’t forget your promise, Tiffany. If I’m not promoted, I won’t be able to help you out. Ashley is the one they their looking at to replace you. You need to make this

happen.”

Once the video ended, Rodney turned back to Heather. She had paled as she realized that she had been

trapped by her own words. Everyone was talking about Gretchen being arrested for contempt of court on perjury charges. She didn’t want to be the next one in line to be arrested. Rodney never even had to speak.

“I couldn’t admit that before. Ashley has always claimed that I cheated to get the position. So what? We

made a deal. Ashley might have been more qualified, but I was more popular. I was the reason they did what

they did to her. Ashley was too soft–heated. She didn’t want to help, even knowing that Holden might choose

her to replace Ana. So what if she was a Caldwell? That didn’t mean that she deserved to marry Holden. He

was way too hot for her. She gained so much weight, she looked horrible. A fat pig never deserved to marry Holden. She doesn’t even deserve the husband she has, despite losing a lot of weight,” Heather snapped out.

I was glad that Rodney had taken it easy on her earlier. Gone was the sweet woman from earlier, and in her

place was a snarling, rabid dog. She gave up any pretense of innocence now. She was angry at being proven a liar and scared that she was about to be arrested for perjury as well. I didn’t turn around, but I heard the scoff behind us. I knew it was Ashley. She always suspected that Heather had made a deal to get captain of

the squad. She just didn’t have any proof. Ashley, surprisingly enough, never hurt me.

She didn’t want to be a part of what they were doing to me. She had actually felt bad for me. But there wasn’t much one person could do. They would have turned on her, too. I don’t blame her for staying out of it. I wouldn’t put what I experienced on anyone else. Well, that’s a lie. I wanted Tiffany to experience it, if only for a week. I wanted her to be shamed and humiliated in front of the whole school. To realize how helpless I felt. At knowing no one, not even the teachers or the principal, would step in to stop what was happening to me.

Rodney didn’t reply to her. He just watched the judge. It was the Judge’s decision to decide if he needed to punish her for lying on the stand. We all waited as he continued not to speak for about two minutes, but it

seemed like it was a lot longer.

“Bailiff, please escort Mrs. Johnson to one of the holding cells. Mildred, highlight her testimony. I want to review it before I make my final decision,” the judge finally said.

Heather looked stunned as she was led away. She wasn’t handcuffed like Gretchen. She just quietly allowed them to lead her out of the back door of the courtroom. I took a deep, calming breath. I knew what was about

to happen now.

“Your honor, I want to call Ana Caldwell Billingsley to the stand,” Rodney announced. I stood up, and the

entire room silent as I walked over to be sworn in.

KatVonBeck

#Vote#

Comments

Get Bonus (Ad) >

N

Vote

1.2K