Chapter 1
"Before the judge decides what punishment awaits Samy Wanton who is charged for the murder of Joseph Gracia and all other cases against him does anyone have something to say." The jury asked as the courtroom fell in silence after everyone seeing Katie Nelson raising her hand.
The audience wondered what the wife's victim wanted to say as the judge granted her permission as she addressed all of them with respect as she spoke,"Though my husband was killed by the defendant which is clearly against the constitution. It was self protection because according to forensics department and my husband's personal doctor, he was suffering from split personal disorder. So I plead to the judge to rethink his decision thats all your hunour.
The judge declared to state his decision the following week as he dismissed them. Everyone left the courtroom except Samy, Katie,officers and lawyer who left after thanking Katie for her statement. She asked the officers for privacy who stood outside.
" Am sorry,"she stated," its all my fault. If i had listened to you, things wouldn't have ended up like this. My daughter wouldn't be fighting for her life with all the tubes on her small body. I wouldn't have taken your warnings for granted." She sobbed as Samy pulled her into a hug soothing her that she was also just a victim.
Back then if anyone could ask Katie whether he believed what his husband was doing, she would have abused them for disrespecting his perfect husband but things took a drastic change and now she was defending the person who killed Joseph Gracia. He even fabricated the mental illness report just to make sure Samy wouldn't go to jail
" Don't think too much. We will be fine coz we did the right thing." He smiled kissing her forehead as she warned him not to get into trouble at the cell. They left the court as Samy was taken back to the city jail whereas Katie went home and entered her daughter's room as the nurse updated her that everything was normal and maybe talking to her may quicken her recovery.
Katie thanked as she sat down and stroked Shena's hair covering her with a blanket. Tears railed down her eyes as she wondered why her young daughter had to be dragged into all the mess. How things happened so fast that she didn't notice the change? Maybe if she didn't read the letter things would still be fine? But the fact that she was fooled and wronged hurts than the bitter truth. The pain was unbearable as she poured herself two shots of Scotch vodka 1983 as she sat down. She took it in one go as she remembered the day that marked the beginning of her misery.
" Morning hubby, we have to prepare Shena for school." Katie kissed her husband as she strode out of bed to bathroom to prepare herself for work. She dressed up as she entered the kitchen while her husband was helping their daughter dress up. To the world Gracia was the serious cold professional surgeon with an intimidating personality who loved his job but to her she was the simple guy who loved her with all her past and helped her in everything.
" Breakfast is ready," she placed food on the table as they all settle down to enjoy the delicious meal. She gave her husband coffee as she wiped food from his lips. " Gracia there is an exhibition tonight and they auctioning seven masterpieces of Dark Emily and my other paintings, can you please attend it." She begged caressing his hand as he sighed that he wished but he had a conference out of town so he couldn't make but wished her the best.
" But this exhibition is important," she persisted as Joseph promised he would try as they all entered the car tightening their seatbelts as they drove off. Katie entered the lift that opened to the second floor of the biggest building in L.A to her workplace. She entered her office as she was greeted by Louis her secretary and bestfriend as they both sat down afternoon exchanging greetings." We have a meeting with the director." Louis stated ." And this time its important." Katie sighed dressing the chair with the jacket as she followed Louis into the cabinet.
" We have a little problem. Our VIP client wants to buy all the paintings on condition he gets to meet you." The director paused, " he wants to meet the brains behind the work or he won't buy them " . He looked at Katie who sighed accepting to meet him for half an hour. He thanked her promising to make it up to her. They discussed about the exhibition as they were all given extra tickets before ending the meeting. Katie went back to her office as she started dressing the paintings which were to be auctioned. Louis picked them as she drove them to the venue.
After signing the important documents, Katie picked up her daughter from school, had lunch and changed Shena's clothes. " Mum lets go to see daddy please." She played with her hair as she stomped her feet. Katie smiled at her cuteness as she gave her husband a call. On not answering, they decided to go check on him since the conference was in the evening so decided to surprise them as they drove to the hospital. They asked for Dr. Gracia's schedule as the receptionist stated that he was supposed to be having surgery but he filed for emergency and hasn't stepped at the hospital for two days. " Aren't you supposed to be with him." The receptionist asked as katie lied that he left a while ago so she thought he dropped by. Driving back home, she redialled Gracia but no answer. She opened the mail box pulling out the letters as a blue parcel caught her attention. As Katie was about to open it, her phone rung, she picked up as Gracia apologized for not answering earlier and requested her to place his blue parcel in the brief case. A sudden thought of opening the parcel flashed her mind as she displaced it quickly and entered the house to get ready for the auction.
