Chapter 111: IS MY BIOLOGICAL FATHER

Chapter 112

Lumi

"I had no idea you two were already planning your wedding." I said, a wide smile breaking across my face despite the heavy emotions I was feeling.

"I would be honored to be your maid of honor, Neve. Four months gives us plenty of time to get everything ready."

Julian pulled Neve closer to his side, his thumb stroking her waist gently.

"It also gives us time to fix everything and restore all that has been lost." He said while staring at I and Ren.

We understood what he meant because we’ve lost a lot and I’m grateful that they thought of us while making this decision.

Ren clapped Julian on the shoulder, giving his sister a warm, reassuring smile.

"You made the right call. We will make sure you get the proper wedding you deserve, without any dark clouds hanging over us."

After a few more quiet moments together, Neve and Julian headed back upstairs to rest.

Ren guided me down the long corridor toward his private study, closing the heavy wooden door behind us to give us complete privacy.

He sat at his large desk and opened a thick file packed with official paper, legal documents, and printed police files.

"We need to talk about the court case," Ren said, his dark eyes looking straight into mine.

"Since we live among humans, we have to follow human laws. We cannot handle Callum and your father behind closed doors without the local authorities asking questions about the attack and the shootings."

I sat in the armchair across from him, leaning forward as I clasped my hands together.

"How is that going to work? Callum is a citizen of the United Kingdom, will the authorities send him back to the UK to face a British court?"

"No," Ren answered firmly, tapping his finger against a copy of Callum’s passport inside the file.

"Callum came over here from the UK thinking he could break our laws and run back across the ocean to hide. But he committed serious crimes on American soil. He used illegal weapons, organized a dangerous attack, and tried to kill people right here in our state." He leaned back, his expression turning sharp.

"My legal team spoke with federal prosecutors this morning. Because the crimes happened here in the United States, American authorities have full power to put him on trial right here.

He will not be sent back to the UK to escape punishment. He is going to face an American judge, and he will go straight to a maximum-security prison here." I let out a breath I did not realize I was holding.

"And what about my father? He moved around a lot, but he lives in another state now. Will his case be handled here too?"

"Yes," Ren explained, turning to another page in the file.

"Your father actually holds dual citizenship because he got married in Uk years ago. His current wife has been calling lawyers all over the company this morning, trying to cover up what he did. She is claiming he was forced into the attack and that he is completely innocent." My heart sank slightly.

"Can she really cover it up? Can her lawyers get him off the hook?" Ren reached across the desk, wrapping his large, warm hand around mine and squeezing gently.

"Not a chance, Lumi. It is completely impossible. We handed over clear security footage, blood evidence, and audio recordings from the timber mill. No lawyer can erase that kind of proof. Both of them are going down." A deep sense of relief settled over my heart. Justice was coming, and no amount of money could buy them out.

They will pay for every tear you shed, Astra whispered softly inside my soul, her white spirit curling up warm and protective inside my chest.

Yes, they will, I replied in my mind, feeling stronger than ever before.

.......

The morning of the preliminary hearing arrived. It’s been three weeks of waiting so the federal prosecutors would finalize every piece of evidence, and ensure that Callum and my father had no loopholes left to jump through.

Ren held my hand tightly as we walked into the county courthouse, with Neve and Julian following right behind us.

The corridors were quiet, saved for a few security officers guarding the heavy wooden courtroom doors.

We took our seats in the front row of the gallery. I sat comfortably right between Ren and Neve, feeling completely protected on both sides.

In front of us, seated at the defense table in orange prison jumpsuits and heavy handcuffs, were Callum and my father.

Callum looked pale and restless, his eyes constantly scanning the room in fear. My father kept his head bowed toward the floor, unable to look anywhere near my direction.

Judge Gabriel, a stern man with silver hair and sharp eyes, hit his wooden hammer against the desk.

"This court is in session for the preliminary hearing in the case of the United States versus Callum Vance and Arthur Hill," Judge Gabriel announced.

"We are here to review the formal indictments of armed kidnapping, violent assault, and attempted murder." The lead prosecutor stood up smoothly.

"Your Honor, the State presents forensic evidence, audio confessions, and direct eyewitness testimonies. Both defendants acted together in a planned, violent attack." Callum’s defense attorney stood up next.

"Your Honor, my client is a foreign citizen of the United Kingdom. We submit a motion requesting that Mr. Reed be extradited back to the UK for legal handling, or at least released on bail pending further review."

"Motion denied," Judge Gabriel declared without missing a beat. "The violent crimes were committed within this state’s borders using dangerous firearms. Mr. Reed remains in federal custody here in the United States."

My father’s lawyer then stood up, holding a stack of papers.

"Your Honor, my client has submitted sworn affidavits from his home state proving he was coerced into participating under fear for his life. We request immediate bail."

"The evidence clearly contradicts any claim of coercion," the prosecutor countered firmly.

"We have taped recordings of Mr. Hill willingly demanding money for his own daughter’s capture."

"Bail is denied for Mr. Vale as well," Judge Miller stated, picking up his pen to officially finalize the charges for full trial. "Both defendants will remain held without bond..."

"Objection, Your Honor!"

A loud, clear voice cut across the quiet courtroom from the side entrance. A high-powered defense attorney in an expensive suit stepped through the bar railing, holding up an urgent legal document.

"Your Honor, the defense submits an emergency motion," the attorney announced loudly.

"We have a vital late-appearing witness who has just filed formal sworn affidavits with the clerk’s office. Under legal protocol, she holds direct familial rights to speak on behalf of both defendants before the final trial date is locked."

Judge Gabriel frowned heavily, looking down from his bench.

"Counselor, late motions are highly unusual at this stage. Who is this witness?"

"She is present in the building, Your Honor," the attorney replied, turning toward the double doors.

The heavy wooden doors swung open, and the sharp click of designer high heels filled the room.

My stomach dropped into a cold, hard knot. I gasped out loud, gripping Ren’s arm as my heart began to pound wildly against my ribs.

It was Sienna.

She wore an elegant dark suit, her hair styled perfectly, walking down the center aisle with complete control and calm confidence.

She didn’t look nervous at all. Her bright eyes swept across the gallery, ignoring the quiet gasps around her, before fixing directly on the judge.

"What is the meaning of this?" Judge Gabriel asked, banging his hammer once.

"State your identity for the record immediately."

Sienna stopped at the center podium, standing tall as she looked up at the judge with a calm, chilling smile.

"My name is Sienna Reed, Your Honor," she said, her voice sounding crystal clear in the quiet room. "I am submitting critical evidence as the lawful wife of Callum Reed, and the mother of our child."

A wave of loud, shocked whispers erupted throughout the room.

I sat frozen in my seat, my brain spinning out of control. Callum’s wife? When did they get married?

What is this dark trick? Astra growled fiercely inside my mind, her white spirit rising up with protective rage.

Ren shifted beside me, his long body going completely rigid, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. Beside me, Neve gasped in utter shock, her hand tightening over mine.

Judge Gabriel hit his hammer three times, restoring order to the court. "Quiet in the room! Quiet!"

When the room settled down, the judge leaned forward, his glare sharp enough to cut glass.

"Mrs. Reed, you claim to hold direct family relations to both men at that table," Judge Gabriel said sternly.

"You have stated your connection to defendant Callum Reed. Now state your exact connection to the second defendant, Mr. Vale."

Sienna turned her head slowly. Her eyes glided across the courtroom, ignoring the lawyers and the guards, until her cold, blue gaze landed squarely on me. A slow, cruel smile spread across her lips.

"Arthur Vale is my biological father," Sienna declared in a loud, echoing voice.