43.

Long chapter-Dajah💕

(September)

Y/N

It was September as recently I just did my children's book release which was exciting along with finishing filming for "A Journal for Jordan". Michael and I also started the preparations for our wedding ceremony and we decided to change the month of our wedding to the month of May next year. There were no complaints with Michael and I. We would argue about petty things here and there but it wasn't anything we couldn't handle or anything that meant anything but Everything was going smoothly. Although everything was going smoothly, I knew today was about to be rocky because today is the day I get on the stand for the trial with Jevon and Maya. Michael was of course out here with me along with Dani, Steelo, Michael's parents and even Laila but I have yet to hear from My mother and Will. Ever since michael and I had that dinner my parents really wasn't speaking to me like the way they used too it was like something shifted since that night. Michael's parents was all hands on deck but when it came to mine they were supportive from a distance. I was getting dressed as in a couple of hours Literally everything was about to start getting released to the world and I felt uneasy about it. Not only was my trauma about to be placed on the forefront for everyone to read and hear but all audios from Maya and I conversation I'm sure was going to be put out sometime during this Week long trial.

I looked at myself in the hotel body mirror and just stood there looking at my attire. "Was my outfit too revealing?" , "was it too tight?" I thought to myself. "Is my outfit and the way I dressed going to fall back on me for why I was taken advantage of?". I just sighed placing on a pair of pearls to complete the look as my hair was in loose curls.

"What's going on?" Michael asked placing his watch on as he crept up behind me. "Mike I don't know if I can do this" I honestly said. "What you can't do?" Michael questioned. "This whole thing with testifying and telling my story" I admitted shaking my head and placing my head down as I started to cry. "Baby girl" Michael said turning around for me to face him as he held me. "Baby I cant" I expressed shaking my head to look up at him. "Babe" he started off "Mike i can't do this" I honestly said as he nodded. "You can do this baby girl" he assured. "Baby I can't" I said through my tears placing my head down again. "Y/N look at me" Michael said grabbing my chin softly as he moved my head so I can look up at him.

"I don't know how this feels or how you feel but what I do know is that you've been through some shit and you might not feel strong right now but baby girl I got you" he assured looking at me in all seriousness while nodding. "I got you" he reassured as I shook my head and looked down. "You're going to look at me different" I cried as he shook his head. "I'm not" he started off. "You're my WIFE I will not look at you different" he assured. " it's okay not to be strong all the time" Michael added as I looked up at him." Do this for the women who are scared and feel like they have no voice" Michael encouraged as I nodded.

"Okay?" He asked "okay" I answered as we just placed our foreheads on each others and he held my hands. "I got you" He said again trying to calm my nerves. "Okay" I said with my eyes closed just praying that God covered me, my family and this entire situation. "You ready?" Michael asked pulling away while continuing to hold my hands. "Let's go get 'em" I said as he chuckled. "Here" he said handing me a pair of sunglasses as I thanked him and we started walking out together. I held onto his hand as security was meeting us in the lobby.

We got into the elevator as it was just us and Michael just stood there while I looked at him.

"You okay?" I asked Michael as he nodded. "I just want you to be safe and his ass to be locked up" Michael said as I agreed. "Thank you for being with me through all of this and seeing through the bullshit with Maya." I honestly thanked as he just pecked my lips. "I know you want to have compassion and help others but she was one of those people where I seen you possibly getting seriously hurt and I don't want that because if you're gone what am I supposed to do?" Michael asked as I faintly smiled.

"I love you baby" I said looking up at him as he faintly smiled. "I love you too" he said as the elevator doors opened and I turned feeling him grab my hands. We were immediately faced with about four officers and two body guards along with my lawyer. "You ready?" Latasha questioned as I nodded some. The two body guards, Michael, Latasha and I packed into an SUV with an officer sitting in the front seat. While there was a cop SUV in front of our SUV and another behind our SUV. "Damn" I said looking at everything out the tinted windows.

"Sweetie this is what we agreed too and I made sure they went through with what we agreed too" Latasha assured as I just held Michael's hand and he interlocked our fingers. "When you get to the courthouse there's even more" Latasha added as I just nodded. "Relax" Michael softly said to me before placing a kiss on my head as I nodded again sitting back in my seat as he continued to hold my hand.

"How has the case been going so far with Jevon and Maya?" I questioned. "You want me to be honest?" Latasha questioned as I looked over at her. "Because now that audio of conversations between you two will eventually get released for the court to hear it's almost like She's been trying to cover up for him in so many words" Latasha informed as I looked at her crazy. "So why the hell am I out here Risking my sanity and going through all this hell?!" I questioned. "Because you're going to be the one to put him away. It don't matter how much she lies once the audios are released and you get on that stand and tell your story it's done." Latasha explained.

"Your ex's best friend and Maya's cousin will also be on the case as far as the break in at your home. This will all be tied in, so somebody is walking out of here with some years and I'm being generous with at least ONE" Latasha assured as I just took a breath and nodded. "They're all walking out with some years, the only person who may or may not walk out with some years is Maya" Michael brought up. "Aht, Aht. Not necessarily she threatened Y/N and if it comes out in courts that her and Jevon orchestrated that break in, she can go away as well." Latasha brought up. "Everything is in the jurors hands" Latasha added. "Everything is in God's hands" I thought to myself beginning to pray that he makes this as easy as it can be on the stands but I knew deep down this needed to be solved and the only way is if I speak.

We soon made it to the courthouse as the chauffeur stopped the SUV and there was hella people outside of the courthouse between officers, fans, reporters and surprising protesters about black women, sexual assault and the domestic violence they face. The case was going to also be aired on tv which I was concerned about because reading something about you in the blogs and on social media is one thing but seeing it constant clips of you explaining what was done to you is something different and I feel like people were going to watch as if it was a reality show and this shit is real. This is not something that just happen in movies or on television this real shit women and men go through.

"Just keep you head down and walk, don't say anything" my manager said as I just closed my eyes and nodded feeling Michael kiss my head. An officer came to the door open wing it as we all got out and hella officers swarmed around us three as we walked reporters and fans trying to get our attention. I kept my head down doing exactly what Latasha told me to do and made it into the courthouse safely. I then was greeted by not only Dani, Steelo, Michael parents and Laila but my mother and Will came as well. I just looked at them and they looked at me.

I immediately walked up to them as I hugged Will and he hugged me back tightly. My mother just wrapped her arms around us as I cried into Will's chest. "We wouldn't miss this baby girl" he assured as I continued to cry. We soon pulled away as I wiped my tears away seeing Maya walk in as well with security. She just eyed me and walked straight past going into the courtroom with the officers. "Don't give that any energy" my mother said rolling her eyes from Maya. "I'd beat her ass right here in these courts" I overheard Dani say as Steelo nudged her and I shook my head and faintly smiled.

"You alright?" Will questioned as I nodded and he kissed my head. I just wiped my tears that was falling behind my glasses.

"I just want to thank all of you for being here. I know what I'm about to say on that stand may just be" I started off then shook my head. "We know baby but we're all here" Donna assured as I faintly smiled over at her. "Y/N" I heard Ayanna call out as Ayanna and Brandon then walked in and she immediately greeted everyone. She then gave me a hug as I just hugged back. Latasha then informed us it was time to start heading to the court room. They started walking and heading towards the courtroom in front of me as I trailed slowly behind them.

Michael just stopped and looked back at me as I stopped in my tracks. He just walked back to me as I shook my head and tears started to fall from my eyes. "I can't" I started off as he grabbed my hands. "Baby I can't, I can't do this" I repeated through my tears. "Yes you can baby" michael assured as I shook my head. "I can't do this Michael" I said once again.

"Y/N yes you can, all those people out there for you in front of this courthouse, the people protesting out there for you and for women who look like you." Michael expressed. "Baby we're all rooting for you. Be their voice and show them not to be quiet about something that isn't right. Don't let anybody intimidate you." Michael explained. "Michael I have to explain to you and the rest of the world what was done to me I don't want you to feel worse than what you may already feel" I honestly said.

"Baby as much as I want to hurt that Nigga, this ain't about me. This is all about you and your story no matter how upset I may get. It's about whether or not you're going to allow him to continue to get away with this and stay silent or if you're going to open your mouth, get Justice and get some shit started." Michael explained. "Your original plan was to make sure he was stopped so he can no longer do this to every woman he got with and show everyone including our children the power of speaking up" michael brought up as I nodded. "Remember THAT'S what you're in here for, fuck what anybody else thinks or what they have to say. This is about you and what you want to see change. I'm just here to walk with you every step of the way." Michael explained as I just nodded. "Okay?" He asked as I continued to nod. "Okay" I answered. "I'm so proud of you. You just came out with a black hair love book now it's time to go tackle this and you can do that" he assured as i faintly smiled. "I love you and you look beautiful" he complimented as I faintly smiled and we shared a hug.

We soon pulled away as he just held my hand and we started making our way to the courtroom with each other.

_______________

"Y/N how are you feeling today?" Latasha asked me as I just sighed some feeling a tear roll down my cheek. "I honestly feel sick that I have to sit here and explain to not only the world but my family what was done to me by a man who was supposed to love me but instead abused and mistreated me." I started off ."I can't even listen to certain songs because what was done to me by him triggers a part of my life that I don't ever want to go back too" I explained as Latasha nodded and looked at me. "What are you looking for at the end of this case Ms. Y/L/N?" Latasha questioned. "To make sure what was done to Maya and what was done to me isn't done to anybody else that he is with. I want to show women and black women in particular that if it's wrong then it's WRONG and you need to speak up." I expressed.

" can you recall and explain to not only the courtroom, but Mr. Jevon as one of the many incidences that Jevon has either abused you or taken advantage of you that he's not only clearly did it to Ms.Hall but to you as well" Latasha explained as I felt everyone's eyes on me.  I took a breath and closed my eyes feeling tears fall. An officer handed me a couple of tissues as I wiped my tears away.

"I was at school earlier that day and went to work straight after my classes ended. That day I found out Jevon was cheating on me. So once I got back to where I was staying at he was there and followed me to my apartment constantly telling me it wasn't what I thought it was and that the infidelity claims and videos of him wasn't true" I started off. "I told him "I was done, that I wanted to wash my hands of the relationship and I didn't want to anything to do with him" I added feeling a single tear fall from my eye. "As I walked in, he pushed me into the living room and locked the door behind him. I kept expressing to him that I was done and explained why. He asked me "you think you're just going to leave like that?"" I explained then paused.

"I told him to get out again , he just laughed in my face and asked me where was I going. I responded to him by saying mind your business. He then proceeded to yell and say I was his business." I said beginning to bounce my leg some. "Continue Ms. Y/L/N" Latasha said. "We kept arguing and he tried grabbing me but I moved yelling "stop" and it was like once I did that a switch went off in his head" I expressed. "I told him to go and threatened to call the cops while he was trying to get to me on the other side of the couch. He told me he wasn't afraid of the cops so at that point I was scared and tried running off to my room but instead he grabbed me begin dragging me into my room" I explained and finally looking at my family.

"I asked for him to "stop" but he Ignored me asking me "where was I going to go", telling me "I wasn't shit without him and wasn't going to be anything", saying "men wasn't going to put up with an educated bitch and that they just wanted a bitch to suck their dick" I explained looking down in my lap shaking my head. This shit was so embarrassing. Tears then fell from my eyes as I placed my head back up "he then proceeded to slap me and I fell out on the floor. Before I could even process that the person who I thought loved me just placed their hands on me he grabbed my face telling me "I wasn't shit and wasn't going to be shit " then told me "I wasn't going anywhere" I explained.

"Your honor" Jevons lawyer tried to interrupt. "No interruptions" the judge quickly said then looked back over at me nodding her head for me to continue. "He nudged my head and told me to get undressed and in the bed. I then

Proceeded to take a shower like I always did before going to bed and came out. Jevon was saying to his friend that "she good, and that I had to deal with her" he told his friend "don't pay her no attention She was just being jealous imma bout to handle her ass in a minute"" I explained as Latasha nodded some.

"I was laying on the bed opposite from him crying as he soon got off the phone and begun apologizing to me. I kept telling him he wasn't sorry because if he was he'd stop hurting me. He continued trying to promise me but by that time I didn't want to here it. So he he started to kiss me." I expressed as I realized Michael just looked down. I took a deep breath wiping my tear away continuing to explain the story. "I said no and he looked at me funny repeating my answer. Jevon left and went to go get a gun and placed it up to my head" I admitted as more and more tears started falling.

"He cocked it back and all I can remember was bawling and him yelling at me for me to repeat myself telling him "no". I just apologized over so he could just leave me alone but he was yelling and justifying why he had a gun up to my head" I explained. "Do you remember his justification?" Latasha questioned. "That women liked men who act like that" I answered. "Which was by placing a gun to your head after he clearly placed his hands on you?" Latasha questioned as I nodded. "You can continue" she assured.

"He then placed the gun to his head continuing to yell at me as I cried watching him pull the trigger but nothing came out" I assured shaking my head trying to not cry but it came out anyway. "i was so afraid that I thought he was going to kill himself while on top of me but all he did was laugh at me while I cried and told me to "get in position"." I added looking down as tears flowed out as I wiped my tears away with the tissue I had but more continued coming down. "I told him that what he was about to do was rape and he told me that isn't wasn't rape because he was my boyfriend." I started off. "He then told me that I give him pleasure and that he gives me pleasure." I cried and told him that I didn't want too and he "he didn't care what I wanted and by the time he was finished I'd be satisfied" While pulling up my gown" I said through my tears.

"I tried pulling it back down but all he did was place the gun back to my head pulling the trigger again but there was nothing in the barrel." I added. "He laughed and proceeded to rape me" I finally said placing my head down as I seen my tears fall endlessly into my lap. "Ms.Y/L/N how did him placing a gun to your head and what happened after make you feel?" Latasha questioned as I just kept my head down crying.

"Hold your head up baby girl" I heard Will say loudly. "he needs to be the one with his head hung down ashamed. Not you" will expressed as I looked at Will with eyes full of tears. The judge of course interrupted because it was an outburst in the courtroom.

I finally looked up, wiping my tears away. "I wanted you to pull the trigger and there be a bullet in it" I honestly said looking over at Jevon across the courtroom next to his lawyer as tears streamed down my face. I wanted to finally see what the fuck he's done. "You wanted him to kill you?" Latasha questioned as I looked over at her. "Yes because, I was scared and it was better to go then to stay with him" I honestly admitted as I looked over at everyone and I looked at Michael as he just looked as if he was about to cry. Donna just placed her hand on his hands that was in his lap. I just looked back down shaking my head to myself.