AN UNFORESEEN LOSS

Sarah’s POV

I wiped the sweat from my forehead as I took a quick break in the back room of the restaurant. I had been working non-stop for weeks, taking on multiple part-time jobs just to make ends meet. It was a far cry from my life as a rich woman, but I was determined to survive on my own.

I thought about Spencer, who had been a constant source of support and encouragement. He had shared his own story with me, about how he lived with his mother and struggled to get his license as a lawyer. I had thought he only meant he would support me financially and psychologically when he told me he would help me, little did I know that he was going to take up my case against Alexander and Freya in court and this case was today. I had to admit, I was touched by his kindness and determination.

But I was still wary of getting too close to him. I had been burned by Alex's betrayal, and I didn't want to fall for someone else's charms. So I kept my distance, even as Spencer's patience and understanding made me feel more and more comfortable around him.

“A glass of fresh smothie, please!” A customer hollered.

“I’ll be right there in a bit!” I hollered back, getting his order ready.

“Here, it is. Enjoy,” I smiled, placing his order on the table and walked away, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was shocked to see how much weight I had gained. My cheeks were fuller, my hips were wider, and my eyes looked tired. I looked like a completely different person from the sleek, polished woman I used to be. But then I was suffering and adding weight. How funny could that be?

I sighed and shook my head. It was just another reminder that nothing in life was permanent. I shouldn’t have treated people the way I did and I shouldn’t have thrown money at them whenever I wronged them. A simple sorry could have saved me from a lot but I made life miserable for them. Anyway, I had learned that the hard way, and it was a lesson I would never forget.

A few minutes later, my shift came to an end and I clocked out hastily, saying goodbye to my coworkers whom I had found friends with.

My mind racing with thoughts of the court case against Alex and Freya as I rushed home from work. I had to get ready, had to make sure I was prepared for whatever they would throw my way.

Bursting through the front door, I was met with a surprise. Spencer's mom, Lisa, was standing in the living room, her face twisted in a scowl.

“You,” she spat. “You're the one who's been causing all this trouble. You're the one who's been ruining my son's life,”

I became irritated, but I kept my cool. “I'm not trying to ruin anyone's life,” I said, trying to reason with her.

But she wouldn't listen. “You're just a gold-digger,” she sneered. “You're just using my son to get what you want. Well, let me tell you something, you're not going to get away with it. My son is a good man, and he deserves better than someone like you,”

I felt my anger boil over, and I stood up to her. “How dare you,” I said, my voice shaking with rage. “You don't even know me. You don't know what I've been through,”

But she just laughed. “I know all about you,” she said. “I know you're just a selfish, manipulative…”

I turned her out, suddenly recalling the court case. I had to get going… and I had to get to the courthouse before it was too late.

I grabbed my bag and rushed out the door, not even bothering to respond to Spencer's mom's parting shot.

I arrived at the courthouse, my heart racing with anxiety but then I ignored it, rushing inside and looking around frantically for Spencer.

And then I saw him, standing in front of the judge's bench, his face pale and worried.

What could have happened?

I pushed my way to the front, my eyes scanning the room for Alex and Freya as well. And then I saw them, sitting smugly in the front row, their faces triumphant. I batted my eyes, trying to fight back the tears.

The judge was speaking, his voice droning on and on. And then I heard the words that made my heart sink.

“...and therefore, the court finds in favor of the defendants, Alexander Hayes and his wife, Freya Hayes. Mr. Spencer Hart, you are hereby found guilty of taking bribes from your client, Sarah Steward, just so you would defend the case in favor of her. Your license will be revoked with immediate effect and you will be sentenced to…”

Suddenly, a cold air escaped my lungs. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

And then I saw Alex, standing up and smiling, a triumphant look on his face. He was holding up a sheaf of papers, waving them in the air.

“These documents prove that my ex-wife, Sarah Steward, legally transferred all of our assets to me,” he said, his voice dripping with smugness. “She has no claim to anything,”

I was nauseous instantly, stumbling forward, my eyes fixed on Alex.

“No,” I whispered, my voice shaking with rage. “That's not true. You're lying. You deceived me,”

But it was too late. The judge had already made his decision, and Spencer was being led away in handcuffs.

I felt a scream building up inside me, and I let it out, my voice echoing off the walls of the courtroom.

As I stood there, wailing and crying, I felt really dizzy. And then, to my horror, I threw up, right there in the middle of the courtroom, believing they had made me so sick that it triggered my tolerance for an eye sore.

Alex has hurt me badly. I wished I never trusted him.

I was mortified. I had never been so humiliated in my life.

What would I tell Lisa? How do I explain that her son was going to be behind bars for non-definite years because of me? How did things get this worse?