Cheers To Comeuppance
Chapter 47

Third Person

After accepting his not-so-subtle proposal at lunch, Annika returned home with her family while Leon returned to his place to prepare for the work week ahead. Annika felt like she was on cloud nine after what had transpired. She couldn’t believe that she had accepted Leon’s proposal just like that. Especially given that she was still married to Jeffrey.

Since her family had ultimately accepted Leon, they weren’t all displeased with Annika’s sudden acceptance. If anything, they were actually for her. Madalena and Micky were more ecstatic at the possibility of helping Annika plan for this wedding this time around. Madalena’s biggest regret was not being able to assist Annika in the past when she decided to marry Jeffrey. But this time would be different. She would be there for her youngest.

“I seriously cannot believe you did that! And in front of Daddy!” Micky exclaimed as she threw herself on top of Annika’s bed.

“I know. I’m surprised at myself, too. But something just told me that it was the right thing. I know I’ve been wrong before with this whole marriage thing, but I felt it deep down. You know?”

“I do. That’s how I felt when Matty proposed to me.”

“I didn’t feel this with Jeff. Now I know what I did wrong. I thought what I had with that loser was love, but it was more affection than anything. I thought I knew what love was, but I was mistaken. What I have with Leon—that’s love.”

“AH! I’m so happy for you, Anni!” Micky squealed and ran over to her to bear hug her. Annika giggled and hugged her big sister. “Now, all we have to do is wait for court, get your divorce papers, and then we can start planning for the wedding of the year. No, wait, the wedding of the century. And this time, we don’t have to hide who you are!”

“Yeah. That’s what makes this all the more right. I don’t have who I am for anyone. I thought hiding my true identity all these years was the right thing to do. I never realized that I wasn’t only lying to Jeff, but I was lying to myself.”

“I’m glad to see you finally see where you went wrong, baby sister. I don’t think you know how much it hurt us not to be there for you. Especially Mama and Daddy.”

“I get it now. I truly do. And I’m sorry.” Annika hung her head in shame once she realized how much turmoil her family had been in her because of adolescent mistakes.

“Head up, Baby Bear! We have a war to win, and then we’re going to celebrate!” Micky stated while lifting Annika’s chin with her thumb and index finger. Annika smiled and nodded.

“You’re right.”

Over the next three weeks, there hadn’t been much noise from Jeffrey or Sadie’s side of things. Since being caught outside his hotel, Jeffrey began to keep a low profile and utilized his private investigator to spy on Annika on her family. In doing so, he hoped to gain some understanding of just what they had planned for the upcoming court date that was fast approaching. Unfortunately for the private investigator, he was discovered by Royce within a few days and was forced to hand over everything he had obtained to Royce. Jeff was none the wiser that this plan had already failed before it barely started.

On the other hand, Sadie was progressing in her pregnancy and still living a life of poverty, which she constantly said to herself. She attempted to contact Jeffrey on multiple occasions with multiple different numbers. She refused to wave the white flag when it came to him. Now that she was pregnant and utterly broke, she wouldn’t give up a chance to drag him down with her. Sadie was hellbent on ruining his life after he had abandoned her when she needed him most.

Because she could not contact him by using normal means, so she decided to drag his name through the mud on social media. She created a throw-away account on multiple social media sites and made false rumors of him sleeping around with various women, being physically abusive, and abandoning the women the moment they became attached or, in her case, pregnant. Though none of the rumors were true, the fact that he was already in the digital spotlight for everything that occurred at her birthday party didn’t take much persuasion for netizens to share the fake posts.

Jeffrey wasn’t stupid, however. When news hit his ears about the “various” women claiming to have been taken advantage of by him, he knew that Sadie was stirring up trouble. But he could care less. He would file a civil suit against her for slander. Regardless if the public hated his guts and he was going to stand trial for his misdeeds, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t fan the flames that were already burning. If Sadie wanted to play dirty tricks, he would play them right alongside her. Jeffrey hated himself for ever getting involved with her. He never regretted much in his life, but he regretted choosing her over Annika.

For the time being, Jeffrey needed to give his undivided attention to saving his skin against Annika, her family, Leon, and the entire city. All of whom wanted to see him hang for everything he had done. The acting D.A. that took Jeffrey’s place was someone who hated his guts and was determined. Jeffrey made a fool of their entire district and every other district. A district attorney tampering with evidence and defrauding someone out of tens of millions of dollars for a mistress was unheard of. The acting D.A. was going to make an example out of Jeffrey and his scheming ways.

The first day of the trial finally arrived. Jeffrey and Sadie were escorted by law enforcement officials while everyone involved arrived at the courthouse of their own accord. News reporters, paparazzi, and private citizens surrounded the courthouse. It was a circus, to be frank, and the sheer number of bodies in attendance made it difficult to maneuver to the front door. Police had to be hired to keep everything in order outside. In contrast, the city had to hire additional security to prevent unwanted individuals from entering the courtroom where the trial was going to commence.

The trial would take place over several days, given the complexity. Fraud, evidence tampering, assault, conspiracy to commit murder, endangerment of a private citizen, and, of course, a nasty divorce. What was about to occur was the talk of the state.

As bodies were being pushed back to form a more controlled environment, Jeffrey and Sadie appeared with the respective escorts. They made eye contact with one another. Sadie had nothing but burning hatred in her eyes, while Jeff’s were filled with indifference. This set Sadie off, and she tried to charge at him while screaming profanities and calling him all kinds of obscenities. Her image had already been ruined by what happened with Annika, so she could give a rat’s a*s that she was acting out in public.

She was held back by her escort while Jeff spat on the ground in front of her. This alone was one of the worst kinds of dismissals. His spitting at her told her she was the most disgusting human being in his eyes, and he wanted nothing to do with her. Sadie screamed at the top of her lungs and tried to lunge at him again, but he had already turned his back and walked away without sparing her a second glance.

Just as he was about to walk up the courthouse steps, there was an outcry from the crowd, and everyone’s attention was suddenly attracted to the street. Jeffrey turned around instinctively, and so did Sadie. A McLaren Elva pulled up and stopped right in front of the crowd. Although parking on the street in front of the courthouse was not permitted, everyone knew whose car had just appeared—Leon Von Doren.

Leon opened the door and gracefully exited the vehicle. He turned to face the crowd, skillfully buttoned his suit jacket, and closed the door. He stepped around the car to the passenger side. To everyone’s surprise, the passenger door opened, and a pair of diamond-encrusted stilettos were planted on the ground. Leon held his hand, and a smaller hand placed itself in his. Without missing a beat, Annika emerged from the car wearing an all-black ensemble that consisted of a jacket, a pencil skirt that stopped just above the knees, and a red button-down underneath.

When Jeffrey and Sadie saw Annika and Leon together, both eyes began twitching with disdain, bitterness, and jealousy. Leon gingerly closed the door after Annika exited the car. Annika wrapped her around Leon’s, and they walked together. Leon tossed his keys to Toby, who had arrived at the courthouse ahead of time. Without any words, Toby went to the car and moved it to a nearby parking structure.

As Leon and Annika made their through the crowd that naturally parted to make way for them, the shutters of cameras taking their photographs could be heard left and right, while reporters were throwing questions their way without any room for them to answer.

“Mr. Von Doren! A word, please!”

“Mrs. Hollands, are you going to divorce your husband!?”

“Mrs. Hollands, why have you arrived with Mr. Von Doren?”

“Mr. Von Doren, what do you think about Ms. Galloway cuckolding you with the former D.A.?”

“Mrs. Hollands, how did you replace out about your husband’s affair with Mr. Von Doren’s ex-wife?”

“Mr. Von Doren, why are you and Mrs. Hollands holding hands?!”

“Are you the two of you dating!?”

Questions were spilling out in such quick succession that Annika became slightly overwhelmed. Leon and Annika had already agreed that they wouldn’t answer questions until everything was over and done with. As such, they just smiled and went about their practice. When they made their way up the stairs, they ran into Jeffrey, who was staring daggers at them the entire time. Just as they were about to pass him, he grabbed Annika by the arm.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing!?” he shouted at her. Annika shook his hand off and scowled at him.

“Don’t f*****g touch me,” she spat with venom. “You have no right to lay even a finger on me.”

“You’re still my wife, Annika!”

“Funny. You didn’t seem to consider me your wife while two-timing with that blonde w***e down there for over a year. And for the record, we’ve been separated for months now. I stopped being your wife when you decided to stick your needle d**k inside that woman.”

“Anni, do you have to do this?” Jeffrey said, sounding aggrieved and wronged.

“You brought this on yourself, Jeff. And after today, you and I will officially be divorced and have nothing to do with one another.” Annika shoved him away, but she turned back before she took another step forward. “However, before we end our story here, Jeff, I should thank you.”

“Thank me?”

“Yes. If it weren’t for your cheating way, I never would have met Leon. Thanks to you, I found someone who truly loves me, worships me from head to toe and dotes on me as if I’m the last woman on God’s given earth. Your mistakes drove me into the arms of this man standing beside me. He makes me feel wanted, loved, and sexy. He gives me pleasure that you could never comprehend. And for that, I have to thank you.” Annika stepped toward Jeffrey and whispered in his ear so only he could hear her. “And this man is now my future husband. While you, you flaccid piece of s**t, don’t even deserve to be in my past.” Annika stepped back as she sneered at Jeffrey, then immediately took her place back at Leon’s side.

Jeffrey’s face paled at her words. His eyes shifted between Leon and Annika. When he made eye contact with Leon, all he saw was Leon’s signature smirk. The one that said, “I win.” Jeffrey was shaking with pure rage and wanted nothing more than to smack that smirk right off Leon’s face. Unfortunately for him, he was under the watchful eye of his escort and the public. Even if Sadie didn’t care about others’ opinions about her at this point, he still did.

Leon and Annika walked away, and Jeffrey slowly made his way. He ignored the reporters’ questions and only stated, “no comment.” Sadie, conversely, wouldn’t stop talking to them. For every question asked, she answered with exaggerated responses. Eventually, she made her way into the courthouse. She and Jeffrey were escorted to separate holding rooms prior to the start of the trial.

Hunter, Kenzi, and Jorge were already in the hallway by the assigned courtroom, waiting for Annika and Leon. Once the group made contact, Hunter escorted them to their private room for consults until the trial started. They had about half an hour to get things situated before the grueling work started.

“Are you okay, honey?” Kenzi asked Annika, who seemed to be out of her element all of a sudden.

“Hm? Oh yeah, I’m overwhelmed by the attention this has brought on.”

“I’m sorry, Anni,” Hunter said to her. “I also didn’t expect this. Today is about the divorce hearing, according to Uncle Matt. Obviously, he won’t be in the courtroom, but he will still monitor everything. Judge Trainor is aware of everything going on and will be as fair as possible. But he can’t blatantly take your side. He has to be neutral until a verdict is made. The jury was carefully selected. Since Jeff will be representing himself, he was present during voir dire.”

“What does that mean for, Anni?” Kenzi asked.

“The jury was selected without prejudice. Meaning that the evidence will have to speak for itself. They’re all competent, at least.”

“And you’re sure Hollands didn’t tamper with the jury?” Leon asked.

“Yes, Mr. Von Doren. Even though Hollands knew who the jurors were, I tripled checked that he never made any contact with them. There were no signs, physically or digitally, that he tampered with the jury.”

“Why would he?” Annika questioned. “I doubt anyone would want to be associated with the most hated man in the city?”

“You’d be surprised with some people would do for money, Doc,” Leon replied.

Hunter glanced at his watch and saw that they had approximately ten minutes. “Okay, let’s get going, you guys. Kenzi, baby, you sit right behind us with Jorge.” Kenzi and Jorge nodded, and they all made their way back to the courtroom to get ready for the first battle of many to begin.

Everyone took their respective seats, and Annika wasn’t surprised to see her family in the galley to support her. Leon sat next to Kenzi and was directly behind Annika. Since he wasn’t directly a part of her divorce hearing, he wouldn’t be permitted to sit at the Plaintiff’s table.

“I’m right here, baby,” he whispered to her. Annika smiled and nodded as she got situated as well. Hunter and Jorge accompanied Annika, and they waited. One by one, pre-approved reporters and spectators entered the courtroom, followed by Jeffrey and his police escort. As he was about to take his seat, the bailiff stepped forward.

“All rise for the honorable Judge Trainor!”

“Thank you. You may be seated. Let’s get this started, shall we?”