Shattered Trust: Matilda's Redemption

Chapter9

As we pulled up outside the court the reporters were waiting. I'm starting to panic and try to do some of my calming techniques. Touching my thumb to each finger while counting which doesn't seem to be working so I say random numbers out of order to distract myself. Jenny puts her hand on my shoulder and asks "Want us to do a lap to help calm you down?". I shake my head and try to regulate my breathing repeating in my head 'You got this, you are strong don't let them see you break'.

After 2 minutes I managed to calm myself enough to face the music. I nod to Jenny and we step out of the car. The reporters come rushing towards me but are stopped by several men and women in suits. Jenny looks at me and we begin to move towards the court building. Once inside the building Jenny turned to me and said "Who the fuck were they?", I shrugged my shoulders and went to head to security to get into the court.

Jenny and I were stopped by Mr Black my father's lawyer. "Miss Wilson and Ms Murphy I'm glad the guards your family provided allowed you to get into court without being swarmed by the media" stated the cocky prick Mr Black. "Come on Matilda let's get you upstairs" Jenny said to me. We made our way through security and up to the court. Once outside the court Jenny sat me down and sat next to me. I could feel people staring at me and I looked up to see my family all looking at me. My father looked like he hadn't slept at all, he needed a shave and a strong coffee, Joshua didn't look much better. He looked guilty and couldn't look me in the eyes. Lucas looked ready to throw up and just kept watching me while clutching the chair he was sitting on. Ethan looked like he spent the night crying. He kept trying to catch my attention but I ignored him. I would never give them my time again. I smiled to myself, they looked broken and it made me happy in a way but also I was beyond caring. I just wanted my freedom.

It was now our turn in front of the judge. I sat behind Jenny while my family sat behind Mr Black. The judge did not look happy. Mr Black was demanding we provide my address to my family so they could provide security for me. He also demanded that the protection order be removed because we needed to heal as a family together. He droned on and on about the importance of family and how they did not know about what Harry had done and felt terrible for believing him. I tuned out after 5 minutes of him yapping on. I could feel my family staring at me but I kept my eyes on the judge. 10 more minutes of Mr Black yapping away and finally it was Jenny's turn to talk.

"Your honour, my client fears for her safety and thus we request her address to remain silent. We are happy to provide it to the court if requested but do not believe it is safe to have it disclosed to Mr Black or his clients. My client has stable accommodations and will be starting university in the new year and wishes to keep her location private not only from her family but also from the media who have taken an interest in this case. As you are aware my client has filed a case for emancipation from the Wilson family which highlights the abuse she endured at the hands of the family who are requesting for you to order her back into their custody" Jenny says. Mr Black jumps up "objection your honour, this has not been proven in a court of law". "We are happy to file a report with the police department after we are finished with the court your honour, however, my client would just like to move on with her life" Jenny responds. The judge says "sit down Mr Black, continue Ms Murphy".

Jenny continues to talk and I sneak a glance at my family who are all sitting with their heads hanging down. I want to scream at them you did this to me and yet you don't have the decency to face it head-on. I look back towards the judge and listen to what Jenny is saying "Your honour, this is a complex case that contains very sensitive subjects and my client does not need another criminal trial to attend when there are several cases she is required to give evidence for not to mention criminal cases against several of the guards and inmates who were paid to beat her which she has already attended while in juvenile detention. She has been tormented enough and I believe the court and the state need to show mercy on Miss Wilson and allow her to get on with her life where she feels safe. We have provided the court and the Wilsons with copies of her psych reports and medical records from the last 4 years. Does she not deserve to live in peace after she was wrongfully imprisoned for a crime she did not commit? She wasn't allowed to grieve for her mother who was the last family member she was comforted by the morning of her murder. She also witnessed the murder and was never provided with the support for this. It's time for Miss Wilson to be able to heal not only from what she endured in juvenile detention but also from being present at the murder of her mother and betrayal of her family"Jenny states and with that all heads snap up and look towards me.

I couldn't help it, my eyes began to water. I was mourning for my mother, I was finally mourning for my lost innocence in juvie and I was mourning for my lost childhood. I was also mourning for the family that I thought loved me. It was all taken from me in the blink of an eye. I didn't see the rest of my extended family who were in the courtroom watching me until someone gasped behind my father. There stood Aunty Amelia sobbing while watching me cry. The same family who turned their backs on me while I was in juvie probably believing that I had murdered my mother. There were 21 pairs of eyes on me watching me break and I didn't care. I just wanted it all to end. I stood up and started to move to the exit. The room was closing in on me. I couldn't breathe and I needed to get out. I could hear several people calling out to me but their voices sounded muffled. I could feel myself starting to sway, I couldn't breathe. I was scratching at my throat and people were trying to grab me. I saw black spots in my vision and could just make out Jenny's face. "Can't breathe" I panted out before everything went dark.