"RE-APPEARANCE FOR THE LAWSUIT"
Finally, the date for reappearing in court was given to us, and I was happy to face the Kurtz again at the court. Nonetheless,I had no idea that Zoey would be going to the court to support Sebastian and his family. She obviously had no idea what this case was all about, and She going to Birmingham might bring her closer to the truth which I have buried years ago.
Sebastian already travelled with her to Birmingham a day before the court appeal. I travelled back to Birmingham with mum, and we stayed at the rented apartment I rented for father. He was happy to see his family after so many weeks of staying away from us. He missed his wife so much, and they wouldn't stop playing romance in my presence.
**Before the adjournment**
Few minutes before entering the law court for the adjournment, we crossed paths with the Kurtz. Sebastian wasn't with them, and I was surprised a bit.
"Seems everyone is slowly leaving your side." Father mocked them.
"Be mindful with your words Sir." Their attorney warned father.
"But he didn't lie. Your son is not even present here today." I supported father.
Mrs Kurtz exchanged glances with her husband, while I smiled at them. I really wanted to know why he wasn't around for today's adjournment. I suspected that he was up to something and I can't wait to see what was up his sleeves.
"We shall see inside." Mrs Kurtz said.
"Hope you've enough evidence to backup our claims against you?". Mother asked her.
"When we get in there." She replied.
Mum held my hand, seeing the confidence in Mrs Kurtz voice. They seemed so over confident and it got mother so worried.
I slowly pushed mum to my front, while she led the way. I and father followed her behind, including our attorney.
Later in the court, the judge informed us that someone would be appearing in court as an eye witness for the Kurtz. We were ready to see the person and obviously no one had any idea who he or she was.
"Who could that be?". Mum whisphered into my ear.
"I'm as confused as you are mum." I replied back with a low tone.
We heard the thumping of feet at the entrance door of the law court, and it caught everyone's attention. I turned my head towards the door, looking at those tiny feet. I raised my eyes up to catch a glimpse of the person, and to my surprise it was none other than my own daughter.
Sebastian was walking behind her, and I was surprised by this very manipulation. I tried standing up, but mother stopped me from doing so. I was seriously boiling in anger and it was very obvious.
They headed to the left bench, while everyone looked at them surprised. Zoey placed her hands on a Bible, given to her by one of the attorneys there and she said an oath before speaking up.
"Who's that little girl Sebastian brought here?". Mrs Kurtz asked her husband.
"I don't know too. I thought he won't show up and he did, but with a big surprise." Mr Kurtz replied.
Zoey searched for me round the court with her eyes, feeling so guilty and sad that she would be siding with a stranger, and not me. She didn't even have a clue what the case was all about, but it looked like Sebastian might have told her what to say.
"By laying my hands on this holy instrument, I take an oath that every words I'll say here, will be nothing but the truth." Zoey said.
I couldn't withstand this manipulation, and tears wouldn't stop pouring down my eyes. This was too much for me to behold. My daughter was being manipulated by this evil man.
"Tell us all that you witnessed, when this incident happened seventeen years ago." The judge said to her.
"The contract between the Kurtz and the Mowers were not met by the Mowers, and the Kurtz were forced to auction their home." Zoey opened up to everyone in the court room.
My attorney objected her statement, and pleaded with the Judge to speak but he was stopped, as it was not time for the witness cross examination. Sebastian felt very proud by her statement and the judge felt that her statement, was indeed a valid point.
**After the adjournment for the day...
Everyone stepped out of the court, waiting for the next adjournment of the case in court. I hurriedly approached the Kurtz, facing Zoey. I landed her a slap on her cheek leaving everyone shocked.
"Who do you think you're, to lay your hands on our witness?". Mrs Kurtz attacked me.
"It's none of your business." I dragged Zoey to my side.
"What're you doing mum?". She asked in tears.
I dragged her to my front, while I looked at her angrily. Mother and father approached us, and father wondered if I knew the little girl.
"Do you want to know the truth huh? These people are evil. I was used as an agreement for the repayment of the favor they did for my family." I opened up to her.
"Sebastian is a toxic man. He used to beat me in the past, while I will smile in pains in front of everyone. When I couldn't withstand his toxicity, I ran away and my house got auctioned." I told her the truth.
Zoey was surprised to hear all of this, and could now understand where the hatred I had for Sebastian was coming from. I never wanted to open up about this, but I didn't have a choice. If I keep quiet for long, Sebastian would keep manipulating my child.
"Now tell me, who breached the contract? Me or them?". I asked her.
"Zoey don't listen to her." Sebastian chipped in immediately.
"Uncle please. You manipulated me to say all those things inside." Zoey cried out.
Sebastian squat before her, but she pushed him to the ground. Zoey felt so angry with him, and wondered how much of his toxicity I had faced in the past. I was happy that she was resenting him now.
"She's lying to you. It is best if you don't listen to any of us. I will never manipulate you." Sebastian tried blackmailing her emotionally.
"You're right, I shouldn't get involved at all. I'm sorry mum, for not listening to you." Zoey apologized to me.
Everyone was surprised hearing her call me mother. Father turned me towards his direction, while he gave me a sterning look. Mother already knew the truth, but pretended like she knew nothing.
"Who's she to you?". He asked me.
"She's my daughter. I'll explain it to you later." I replied him.
"She also has a child of this age too?". Mrs Kurtz asked her husband surprised.
I held Zoey's hand, leaving the law court. Father and mother followed us behind. Sebastian's parents have a lot to ask him. It felt like they knew nothing actually.
"Why did you bring her daughter to the court today?". Mr Kurtz asked Sebastian.
"Forget that for now. My question is, why didn't you tell us that Bianca have a child already?". Mrs Kurtz asked him.
"That girl is a bastard. I'm the one that makes her feel like she has a father in her life. So what if I manipulated her huh? I can use her like I want." Sebastian said disgustingly.
Mrs Kurtz was surprised to hear that. She saw a ring on my finger the last time, and it dawned on her that I only wore that to prove a point. Mrs Kurtz was also surprised that I gave birth out of wedlock because she knew that I was a responsible woman that would never open my legs for any man outside marriage. Unfortunately, her son raped me against my will.
**At the rented apartment**
Getting back to the apartment, father refused me from settling down, without explaining the scene that happened earlier to him.
Mother promised to be on my side, and help me explain everything to father.
She took him by his hand, heading over to the lounge. Father needed me there, but mum felt it wasn't necessary at all. She was the only one that can speak to him, and he would listen obediently.
"So who's she?". Father asked her.
"That little girl is our grand daughter. Bianca's daughter." Mum revealed.
"Okay, but from who? How? I thought she told us that she never got married?". Father threw question at mum, very confused.
Mother placed a finger between father's lips, while he stopped talking and now looking into her eyes. He felt calm in a second, and it was mother's effect on him.
"This is a secret. That girl is Sebastian's child too. Bianca took in for him, before she ran away from us years ago." Mum opened up to father with a low voice.
"What!!!." He exclaimed out of shock.
"Shush. She might hear us. Sebastian has no idea about this, only Bianca, you and I. It must remain a secret for our daughter to be happy." Mum said to him.
Father left the lounge immediately, heading over to the room I was staying with Zoey. He walked up to where Zoey was lying on the bed, sitting next to her. She was surprised to see him, and wondered what the unknown man was up to. Father tried grabbing her hands, but she pulled them away looking at him confused.
I was also as confused as Zoey, and wondered what he was really up to.
"Don't be scared, I'm your grand father." Father said to her.
Zoey exchanged glances with me, while I nodded my head at her. She felt a bit uneasy at first, and suddenly loosened up soon after. Father opened his arms for a hug, and she gladly went in for the hug. Mum was at the entrance door, and I exchanged glances with her. Both of us were smiling at the beautiful scenario.