Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife The Twins Are Not Yours novel Chapter 513

Chapter 513: Second Court Case

The judge entered the courtroom with the slow, practiced confidence of a man who had spent half a lifetime walking toward a bench. Athena’s heart thudded once before settling into a steady rhythm.

She watched him climb the three broad wooden steps and settle into the high-backed leather seat that overlooked the entire court.

The High Court of the state would always seem intimidating to people, with its polished mahogany panels, its tall windows draped with burgundy curtains, and its rows of benches arranged like the ribs of a giant beast waiting to swallow the guilty whole.

But not her. Anticipation was what she felt.

Today though, the place felt charged—alive with expectation.

The air was thick with the soft hum of whispers, the subtle shifting of chairs, the rustle of papers. The gallery was packed. Spectators leaned forward, hungry for the final day of a trial that had already upended the internet twice over.

Ever since the KN News Media first broke the story of Cedric and his family’s crimes, other networks had swallowed it and spat it back out with sensationalized headlines. The frenzy had only grown teeth when the murder allegations surfaced.

There had been debates, expert panels, online threads with millions of comments—some defending her, some attacking her, but most demanding justice.

Even outside the courthouse earlier, reporters had clogged the entrance like an aggressive swarm of bees. Their shouts still rang in Athena’s ears.

"Miss Athena, any comment about the murder charge?"

"Do you think Cedric will walk free?"

"Is it true your family manipulated the evidence?"

"Is this personal revenge?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

It had taken eight security guards to carve a path for them through flashing cameras and microphones poking forward like metal claws. She hadn’t let any of it show on her face, not even the barely-there nerves.

She had walked in flanked by Ewan on her left and her family on her right, chin high, spine straight. She owed her parents at least that much strength.

Her hand rested in Ewan’s now. Warm. Steady. A silent anchor beside her.

Her grandmother was seated on her other side, fingers intertwined with Athena’s free hand. Beside Grandma sat her grandfather, solemn, stiff-backed, the weight of years pressing down on his shoulders but his gaze sharp as a hawk’s.

Her children were at home with Jessica who had flown in as soon as she heard about the final proceedings. She had been a blessing in every possible way, especially now Cairo needed gentleness.

Athena inhaled slowly. Her gaze drifted across the courtroom until it landed on her grand aunt and the rest of that cursed family line she hadn’t seen since the confrontation weeks ago.

Her skin prickled.

Cedric’s parents and their stupid supporters scowled at her openly—hatred simmering in their eyes like burning oil. But her grand aunt... no. That one was calm. Calm like still ice on a lake that hid monsters underneath.

The older woman sat gracefully, hands folded, face composed, wearing the expression of a veteran who’d played a long, dirty game and refused to be rattled by the media storms dragging her name for weeks. A matriarch true and true.

Athena couldn’t wait to see the facade break.

The judge cleared his throat then, shuffling some papers, dragging every attention to him.

Ewan squeezed her hand lightly—a subtle reminder that he was there. Present. Constant. She looked up just as Herbert caught her gaze from across the aisle.

He winked, shameless as always, and she rolled her eyes before returning her attention to the front.

She really wondered when he would give up whatever delusion he held about trying to start something that wasn’t business with her.

"Court is now in session," the judge declared, tapping his gavel once.

Silence fell like a blanket. Athena straightened.

The judge turned his stern gaze toward the defense’s table. "Defense, you may begin."

The defense lawyer stood—tall, slightly flustered, clutching his briefcase like it might sprout wings and fly away. He cleared his throat.

"Your Honor, members of the jury," he began, voice too loud, too eager, "the prosecution’s claims must be viewed through a lens of utmost scrutiny. My clients have been painted as criminals, their reputations dragged through the mud based on questionable motives and even more questionable evidence."

Athena’s lips twitched. Questionable motives? Really?

The lawyer continued, flipping through his papers with exaggerated precision.

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