Page 77 of Sinful Touch

The man gestures for me to take a seat. My lawyer and I both walk around the table and take a seat. I lock eyes with Lil for a moment, and then my eyes go down to her ring finger. She is wearing the diamond ring I told her to buy. It was not the way I wanted to do it, but I couldn’t stand her not being my wife any longer.

“Before we ask your wife to speak to us, we want to hear what you have to say, Mr. Fox,” The woman says softly.

“I don't know what you want me to say; I know I am not a threat to society; I am not a threat to anyone. I did what I did because the man beat Liliana and almost killed her. I did what I did because I felt I had no other choice, I knew it was either him or me, so I chose him.”

“Do you regret what you did?” She asks, leaning forward.

I know a smart person would lie. A smart person would tell them whatever they wanted to hear to ensure they got out of prison, but I can’t lie.

I take in a deep breath. “No, I don't regret what I did. Chad was going to kill her, I know that. I know that still. I should have asked for the help of the detective, but I don't regret beating the shit out of him,” I say, trying to keep the images from taking over my mind. Images that are forever imprinted inside my head, images I will never be able to escape, her bleeding on the ground, bruised and almost lifeless.

“I respect you for being honest with us,” she says in a surprised tone.

“There is no reason to lie,” I say with confidence.

“Thank you, Mr. Fox.” The woman nods. I see it in her eyes: She has never had someone be so honest before. That is something I will never change.

“Mrs. Fox, will you please come forward?” The man asks my wife.

I can hear her moving, and before I know it, she is standing next to me, resting her hand on my shoulder. I rest my hand on her as we all wait for her to speak.

“How are you doing, Mrs. Fox, with everything?” He asks her with concern and pity.

“I feel like that is a trick question,” She responds softly, I can hear the anxiety and pain in her tone.

“How so?” He asks in a curious voice.

“I have my good days and my bad days. I am alive because of my husband. I know Chad would have come back and killed me if he had the chance; because of Jaxon, he never got the chance,” She confesses to everyone in the room. She would have said the same words at my trial and she did say the same words at Chad’s but it didn’t matter I already pleaded guilty to my charge.

“Do you fear your husband?” He asks.

“No, I fear a life without him,” She says with honesty.

“Thank you, Mrs. Fox.”

My heart is racing so fucking fast I can hear it in my ears.

“Mr. Fox, you have served 5 years of your 10-year sentence for aggravated assault. We have looked over your file, and it appears you have been a model inmate. Due to your honesty and your wife's comments about your behavior, we will be allowing you to be paroled,” he says softly.

A weight feels like it is being lifted off of me with the man’s words.

“We are sorry Mrs. Fox for what you have been through, you will have your husband back before you know it. Mr. Fox, you will be on parole for the next 5 years; I would advise you to stay on your best behavior; we don't want to see you back inside the walls of this prison, understand?” He asks in a serious I’m not playing with you, type of voice.

“Yes, Sir, I understand,” I respond.

“Very well.”

I slowly stand up and turn to face my wife, tears are rolling down her face as she wraps her arms around my waist pulling me into her. She rests her face against my chest, I wrap my arms tightly around her.

“I will be home soon enough, Darlin,” I whisper, doing my best to reassure her that everything is going to be okay.

She pulls back and looks at me. I lean down and gently connect my lips to hers.

I have served my time, and now it is time to start a new life with my wife, free from Chad.

41

Jaxon

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