Damned. My appeal was rejected. I somehow knew it would be. I agree, my instinct are strong but now the evidence. I called Jen and insisted, we go to the court for the hearing. I want to know what is happening. Unlikely I am capable of performing miracles, but I wanted go nevertheless. Luckily, Jen is in the same court until the court sessions are concluded for the day. So, she I didn't have to do much pleading.

But it was my mother and step sisters who kind pissed me off as I was leaving for the court that morning.

"You are not going anywhere for dinner today as Hammad is coming with his mother to our house for dinner" mom said in her emotionless tone.

"I have other plans mom. And why should I be here if Hammad come? I wasn't here when Mr. Lanster came last week, I wasn't here when Abdullah's family came over last month and I am certainly not intending to stay because Hammad or his mother decided to come over" I said quite angrily. This is getting pretty annoying.

"Dad says Hammad is getting a new Ferrari. Isn't it nice Rania? I wish my fiancé could buy one. I should push him" Rana said and rest of the women except me nodded in approval.

"I have an idea. Why don't you keep Hammad and his Ferrari, both. I mean, it seems like no one wants him" I said smiling reaching for my handbag. Time to make an escape.

"Be thankful Sarah, not all men wants you. Especially not many men would want someone as controlling and arrogant like you. You are unable to find a man on your own and that is why this poor woman who is more a mother to us than to you, and my father, the most kind man on earth, decided to bring this proposal forward" she said in her tone which I know warm my mothers heart like a scorching summer day.

"Well, the most kind man on earth, which is your father, wants a business deal as his business are not quite what it use to be. And I am the perfect pawn for this. And for my mother, well, she has climbed the social ladder as high as she could, with the two of you. I think I will not marry just to be on the safe side of scheming" I replied in the same dry tone they were using on me.

"And don't cross your damn lines girls. I many be your step-sister and you might have warm my mothers heart, but I know who you really are. I know what you did to me when growing up and the evil you are capable of. I am who am now. Mom will see what I mean when the time comes" and I literally ran out of the house before I could hear the reply.

I am not scared of confrontation but I prefer avoiding it. I know, if I stayed a moment longer, mom would cry and then I will end up apologizing to Rana and Rania. And I am certainly not in a mood.

As I reached the court, Jen was waiting for me.

"Am I late?" I asked her.

"No, lets go in"

"Are you sure you wont be able to do anything?" I asked her one final time.

"Nothing. But I can contest without charging Steve at supreme court if he decides to contest the judgment" she said.

But I know it all depends on how things goes on today.

I sat there for about 30 minutes before the case was called. When I saw Steve, 3 times in the last 5 days, I felt really helpless. There has to be a reason why he killed those 3 guys. The assessment of the case, doctors reports and rest make perfect sense but that is the work of professionalism. But this guy, his body language and his general composure is way different from general hardcore, psychic criminals I have dealt with before.

In the front row, I saw two men, one looks exactly like Steve with his eyes and hair, and I believe is the father Philip. The other looks not like the father or his illegitimate brother, whom I believe is Harry.

Beside them was the queen of drama and cruelty, Laila. And right beside her was a girl, whose age I really cant tell, but has down's syndrome. She was looking very uncomfortable and looking at Steve. And Steve looked disturbed. And the girl, I have no idea who she is smiled and got up. I believed to go towards Steve, but Laila pulled her down and held her hand. I could see the girl fighting Laila, trying to break free. And I also saw Steve looking so helpless and literally in physical pain watching it. The judge hasn't come in as yet. I decided to intervene.

I got up from my seat which was right at the back. And walked to right in front where Philip, Harry and Laila were seated. I could hear the girl crying, saying she wants to go to Steve.

"Hello Laila. What a surprise? I didn't expect to see you here. And it has been a long time since school" I reached her with fake politeness. She will return the fakeness as well. I know for sure.

"Oh hello, Sarah - Right?" she asked me as she has forgotten my name. Not a chance in million years.

"Yes. Doctor Sarah now" I said, and she stood up to give me a hug. My back is facing Steve, so I don't know if he is watching us or not.

"Meet my husband, Philip and my step son, Harry. This darling here is Talia. An adopted household child" what the hell is an adopted household child? No one has ever accused Laila for being intelligent. And I know why.

"Nice meeting you" I shook hands with Philip and Harry. They were kind of shooting daggers at me. Well, if you threatened someone over the phone, then you will shoot daggers when you meet I believe.

"And hello Talia. So nice to see you" I told Talia.

"I want to go near Steve. I want to go" she is still struggling.

"I am a psychiatrist. If you want, I can calm her" I told Laila. Her husband and step son were ready to argue but Laila was so pleased.

"Yes please. That man over there killed the heir to our empire, and this stupid girl is killing me from the time she saw him" she said.

"No thanks, doctor. We can manage Talia" Philip said. And the judge decided to come at that moment, and I got decided to sit next to Talia.

"You can see Steve, when the man over there finish speaking. I will try my best to take you to him. But you have to be quite until that. Otherwise, the big man with the white wig will not let you speak to Steve" I whispered in her Talia. It took her sometime to understand what I said. And she nodded. And when I raised my head back to Steve, I saw him watching me intensely. I gave him a slow nod that no one would have noticed. It is to say Talia is ok. And I saw Steve literally relax.

During the court procedure Talia became restless. I wonder why these guys brought her here. What is her relationship with Steve? She is too old to be Steve's daughter. So I took Talia's hand in a gesture of love and also to calm her. And I saw marks in her hand. Those marks were as someone had beaten her with belts and sticks. And some places I could see blood. Laila, Philip and Harry were too intensely following the court procedures, I am sure they fail to notice what I saw. I tried to see the bare skin on Talia's neck and I saw some dark bruises there are well.

This is abuse.

This is abuse of mentally volatile people. And I can see my temper rising. Should I call the police as this is not a child abuse, child care wont help. No, I should call Jen. And I rang her phone from mine. She is in the court room and damn, mobile is switched off. I am not following a word spoken in the court room. I looked at Steve, who seems to be listening to the judge and jury.

Know the viper Laila is, and not having a good opinion about her male companions, I can call police but by the time they come, it will be too late. Powerful people know how to evade justice.

The court was suddenly silent.

"Is there anyone else would you care to present Mr.Miller?" judge asked and okay, my moment to fight for justice.

"Excuse me your honor, I am Doctor Sarah Abdullah, a doctor in psychiatry and a currently hired on volunteer basis by the prison authority. I have nothing significant to attest to except to urge you to postponed the judgment of the case for a week, but before the court adjoin, the lady here Talia, whom seems I guess has down's syndrome only with physical evaluation, seems to have torture marks in her body"

The entire room went still, and I saw Steve and Jen both looking at me directly and I cant read their expression.

"What nonsense is this?" Philip got up and shouted.

"Under my recommendation, a mentally challenged and volatile people should be removed from their caretakers right away. And I request your honor, for the police officers here to take Ms.Talia and I will accommodate her to make sure her assessments are properly conducted and concluded" I finished.

"How dare you?" Philip walked forward and for once I thought he would attack me. But he came to grab Talia and I stood in front of him.

"I will destroy you, if you touch her" I told him. Next thing I know is Jen is beside me, and two police officers were right beside us.

I showed the marks to police officers and they were shocked at the length in which she was beaten. Even I was close to tears when I closely inspect it.

"Animals" I said.

"Order.. Order" the judge said, and again pin drop silence.

"Officer Drake, are there any physical marks of abuse?" the judge asked the police officer.

"Yes, your honor" the police officer replied.

"Take her to medical check up center, and follow the procedure. Doctor Sarah can accommodate Talia"

I got up with Talia to go, and then I heard his verdict.

"Given all evidence and confession of the accused, I am giving Steve Armstrong the capital punishment, if not contested will be carried out in 6 months"

Allah.....

"NOOOOOOOOOOO... I didn't do it. You bastard, you promised, you will take care of Talia and you made me confess a crime I didn't do, I will kill you" Steve said trying to break free. And there it is. Talia was clinging in to my hand and I saw people rushing in. Before Talia get agitated, I wanted to take her off from here and from all the drama.

"Officer, lets go" and I was off with the others within minutes.

"I want to talk to Steve" Talia said.

"You will honey. I promise you will talk to him soon" and she will, inshallah.