My Husband Defended the Man Who Assaulted Me Chapter 03

My Husband Defended the Man Who Assaulted Me Chapter 03

After the first hearing, my mother held me tight and walked me out.

Reporters swarmed the stone courthouse steps in a chaotic mob.Blinding flashbulbs burst relentlessly in my eyes, and microphones were thrust rudely inches from my face, one after another.

“Ms. Croft, were you jealous that Celine was carrying Sullivan’s baby, so you threw yourself at her brother?”

“Word is you went commando that night. Do you suffer from sexual addiction?”

“You pulled this stunt seven years ago. Now you’re shaking down a twenty-year-old young man. A classic honey trap?”

“Is that your mother? Does she know about your reckless lifestyle?”

I stumbled. Someone grabbed my sleeve in the crush.

The fabric tore. My shoulder and half my chest hit the air.

Cameras flashed wildly, capturing every exposed inch. Male onlookers laughed and whistled,

“Damn, no wonder the kid couldn’t keep his hands off!”

My stomach turned inside out.

Mom lunged in front of me. Covered me with her own body.

“Back off! You animals! Have you no shame?”

In the chaos, someone shoved her hard.

Her forehead cracked against the courthouse pillar’s sharp edge.

Blood poured down her face.

It took bailiffs to clear the way.

That night, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door to find Sullivan and Celine standing on our porch.

Mom’s face went murderous.

“What do you want?”

Celine looked at me, wet-eyed.

“Vivian, I came to apologize for my brother. But he is only twenty. He’s never even had a girlfriend. He genuinely thought you were lonely and seeking attention in that dress…”

“He said the second he touched you, you responded. You didn’t fight him at all. So why call the police after and try to destroy his whole life?”

My brain detonated. I locked eyes on her.

“Say that again. I was drugged. Convulsing. And you’re telling me I wanted it?”

Celine flinched into Sullivan’s chest.

“Vivian, please… Is she having another breakdown?”

Mom’s palm cracked across Celine’s cheek.

“SHUT YOUR MOUTH!”

Sullivan pulled Celine behind him, his jaw tightening into a hard, unforgiving line.

“She’s pregnant. You had no right to do so.”

Then he turned to me.

“Vivian. Drop the charges.”

Every word sliced into me like a fresh blade.

“I can make this go away. Sign the withdrawal. We won’t pursue the false-report angle.”

“If you keep pushing, you’ll lose. You can’t handle what’s coming.”

I stared fixedly at the man standing in my doorway—a complete stranger.

“Are you warning me because you care, Sullivan?”

“Or threatening me that if I don’t fold, you’ll bury me in the press?”

His face flickered. “That’s not what I meant.”

Mom pointed at the door with her shaking hands.

“Get out. Both of you!”

She suddenly clutched tightly at her chest, her body staggering weakly to the side.

I screamed and caught her.

Sullivan stepped forward instinctively to help.

I shoved him back.

“Don’t touch her!”

He froze.

Mom slumped against me. Pale. Sweating.

I fumbled for my phone. Dialed 911.

Sullivan stood at the threshold. For the first time, he looked lost.

“Vivi, I…”

I held my mother. My whole body trembling so violently I could barely form words.

“Take Celine and get out of my house! If something happens to my mom, I will never forgive you.”

His lips moved. Nothing came out.

Mom’s hand went cold in mine.

And I realized Sullivan hadn’t come to talk me into dropping charges.

He’d come to finish off the last person who still stood between me and the edge.