Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

90 Will I Get Bail? (Winona)

I sit in the courtroom, my heart pounding as I wait for the judge to enter. The room is filled with people, their eyes on me, their whispers echoing in my ears. The weight of their judgment feels like a physical burden.

My anxiety is overwhelming. I glance around the room, seeing faces that seem familiar, faces from the media coverage, and even faces of those who might be curious about the high-profile case. It's suffocating. Gordon Brown sits beside me, his expression calm and focused. He's been my rock through this nightmare, and I cling to the hope that he can get me out on bail. I need so badly to see Abby again. The thought of her bright, innocent face keeps me grounded.

"Stay calm, Winona, and above all, be sincere. Judge Harper can see straight through bullshit." Gordon whispers. "Don't say anything unless she addresses you directly."

"All rise," the bailiff announces, and we stand as the judge enters. Judge Harper is a stern-looking woman with piercing eyes that seem to see right through me. She takes her seat and looks down at us, her gaze intense and unwavering. "This is a hearing to determine whether-bail will be granted to the defendant, Winona Nolan, who is accused of attempted murder," she begins, her voice firm and authoritative. "Given the violent nature of the offense, I am inclined to deny bail. However, I will hear arguments from both sides."

The prosecutor stands first, his demeanor confident and almost smug. He lays out the case against me with meticulous detail, describing the scene at the park, the witnesses who saw me push Ashlyn, and the tragic loss of the baby.

His words are like daggers, each one cutting deeper into my hope. I feel my stomach churn as he continues, painting me as a monster.

When he finishes, Gordon stands, his posture confident and assertive. "Your Honor, my client is not a flight risk, nor is she a danger to society. She is a devoted mother with deep ties to her community. Denying her bail would cause undue hardship, not only to her but also to her daughter, Abby, who has serious health issues."

He steps forward and offers paperwork for the Judge to read. The Judge reads carefully, her expression inscrutable. The silence is agonizing as I wait for her to respond.

Judge Harper's eyes narrow as she looks at Gordon, "Mr. Brown, the charges against your client are extremely serious. What assurances can you provide that she will not pose a threat to anyone, particularly to the alleged victim, should she be granted bail?"

Gordon nods, prepared for this moment. "Your Honor, Ms. Nolan will be confined to her home with an ankle bracelet to ensure she does not leave the premises. She will reside back at her home and only have supervised visitation rights to her daughter, Abby. Given Abby's health issues, she needs to see her mother but also needs to be where her specialist doctors are."

The judge considers this, her expression thoughtful but still stern. "Ms. Nolan, do you understand the terms being proposed? You would be confined to your home, unable to leave except under strict

supervision for court hearings back here in Santa Monica, You would only be allowed to see your daughter under supervision. Is that acceptable to you?"

I swallow hard, my throat dry and tight. The idea of being confined to my home, of not being able to freely see Abby, tears at my heart. But I know I have no other choice. "Yes, Your Honor, I understand and accept the terms," I manage to say, my voice trembling. Judge Harper nods slowly, still clearly weighing her decision. "Givert the health of the child and the proposed conditions, I am willing to grant bail of one million dollars. However, be aware that any violation of these terms will result in immediate revocation of bail and your return to custody. Do you understand?" "Yes, Your Honor," I reply, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. The thought of seeing Abby again, even under supervision, gives me the strength to agree to these harsh terms.

Gordon speaks again, his tone respectful but firm. "Thank you, Your Honor. We will ensure that Ms. Nolan adheres to all conditions set forth."

The judge nods once more, then bangs her gavel. "Bail is set at one million dollars. The defendant is to be confined to her home with an ankle bracelet and will have supervised visitation with her daughter. Court is adjourned."

As the courtroom clears, Gordon turns to me, his expression relieved but still serious. "We did it, Winona. It's not perfect, but it's a step forward."This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

I nod, tears of relief streaming down my face. Thank you, Gordon. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"We still have a long road ahead, but this is a good start. Let's get you back home and set up with the ankle bracelet. We'll take it one step at a time. I'll confer with you over video call until you come back for the first hearing." As I leave the courtroom, the reality of my situation sinks in. The whispers of the people in the gallery still echo in my ears, and I know that the battle is far from over.

I'm thankful for this tiny reprieve, knowing that I can't afford to make any mistakes. I'm not going to do anything to get me back in jail again, and now I have to do everything to keep me out of jail for the rest of my life. 01 Harne Alone Almost