They say every second woman but I say Every single woman as experienced sexual assault once in her lifetime. When we travel by bus, subway or any fucking place we all have felt violated. 

And the one to blame is us. Woman. If I ask you a question whether you or anyone you know has ever been violated to raise your hand almost 99% would raise their hands, and If I asked how many of you reported it to put your hands down only 1% would have their hands raised. 

Not only Women are taken advantage of Men or taken advantage of too but the spotlight would always be on Women. I am not being prejudiced I am just stating what I saw which may be correct or maybe not. 

Many assault cases are still on trial or dismissed, because of lack of evidence or victims due to trauma she couldn't speak, some losing their ability to speak. Someone changing their selves, their gender because they are not comfortable with who they are. That won't change a thing, some also commit suicides. Some are just not believed. 

Then there are people like me afraid and scared of what others will say or think or rather than facing it we just pretend it never happened and try to move on. The scar the shadow still would keep casting on our present, future. 

We are ashamed instead of the person who did it. We hide when we didn't do anything wrong, we are scared when the person who did this to us should be. But people like Nathan don't have empathy or they just don't feel anything because right now Nathan had a very cold, expressionless face sitting in the defense box besides his father who had the same mask on. 

My eyes met his from the other side, as I stood in the box with his Lawyer questioning me. I shivered, I took a deep breath to calm my breathing. It's impassive face always bothers me. 

"Did you know Nathan mentally challenged?". I expected this question. I knew they were going to use this card. That's their trump card. 

Defendants in a sexual assault case can also claim that they had a mental disease or defect at the time of the crime that should remove criminal liability for their actions.If a mentally challenged individual has no understanding that unwanted sexual contact is proscribed by the law, they could most likely mount an effective defense based on mental incapacity. 

"Yes". 

The lawyer raised his eyebrows at my answer. "He always seemed detached to everyone around him, always void of emotions". 

Mr. Traven nodded "So you also know, they can't differentiate between what's right and wrong". 

I sucked in a breath "I know they are incapable to understand what's wrong". 

"Good". Mr Traven turned his back to me" Now tell me what exactly were you doing in the party alone with him then, you claimed he was always being weird and creepy around you right ?". 

I clutched the hem of my dress" He locked us in the bathroom, I tried to get away from him, he trapped me". My voice shakes a little. 

"I see". 

I turned to my left and saw Jungkook with a rigid posture, his jaw tense looking at Mr Traven, but his features softened as his gaze landed on me. He nodded encouragingly.

"The evidence shows you didn't fight back, it showed you consented to it". He swerved through the file" If even you were assaulted why didn't you report back then? Why after three years? "

I was going to get sick, and first I am going to rip this bastard. I know he is doing his job but lord I want to kill him. 

"Objection, your honour. " Our lawyer, Ms Nalini said." He is trying to incriminate my client ". 

"Objection overruled". The judge said, she sneaked a glance at me. Nodding reassuringly. Thank heavens I will atleast get a chance to speak. 

"Do you have a daughter, Mr Traven?". I calmly asked, keeping my anger at bay. 

"Pardon". Mr. Traven furrowed his brow. 

"If you don't, thank the Lord you don't. What if this happened with your daughter will you still try to justify the offender's side?". I was being plain rude. I still continued "The video evidence you are talking about is the fabricated one where I gave up, I froze there because there was no hope of anyone saving me. I screamed for help, fighting him to stop. He didn't listen". 

"Why didn't I report, you ask? I was ashamed I didn't want any eyes looking at me whispering behind my back. How a poor soul I am. Feeling bad, sympathetic most of pitying me. Blaming me as if it was my fault going to the party just to enjoy myself. Questioning my dress choice as if I brought that upon myself. Most of all I was scared, I was terrified and when this mere video almost ruined me and my life. The bullying that continued. I was sorry I am the victim I still had to suffer more and he just got away ". 

"He wasn't bullied, he was praised for forcing himself upon a girl. Worshipped when I was degraded". 

I took a deep breath and tears fell freely from my eyes. The court was stunned in silence but I was not done. 

"For three years I still didn't escape the nightmares, the feeling of his hands on mine. How disgusted I am with myself. I had to deal with it, not him. And no one thought I was taken advantage of and he still had the audacity to come back in my life threatening me, claiming me."

Mrs. Nalini stood up, taking over and stunned Mr. Traven. 

"This is the full video of what happened recording without consent by Jenny Evans, Nathan's sister."

Everyone saw the fabricated video, it was presented all over. As Jimin had access to destroy the videos and images somehow he managed to collect the whole video much to our benefit. 

Mrs. Nalini gave the pendrive to the judge which had the full recording and submitted all the evidence keeping this one aside. 

"It cannot be accepted, we weren't informed about it". Mr. Traven said. 

The judge gave him a look that made him shut up. 

"One request your honour and jury members don't play this now, watch this before your final conviction". Mrs. Nalini said. 

I am sure Jungkook and Nalini decided this beforehand. The judge nodded respecting it. 

"We will examine and go through all the evidence and statements of the assault case as well as Fraud and illegal trafficking case of Raphael Evans, and meet here after one hour. Till then the court is adjourned."

Usually this case takes years of hearings but having so much precise evidence without a trace of questions it's moving along very swiftly. No doubt Jeons and Thorne had something to do with it. 

……….. 

"Sentenced Five years for offense of stalking and fine of $5,000. And 14 years custody for assault, a psychiatrist will be provided for medical attention". The judge read the conviction. I sighed in relief leaning back. Jungkook's arm around my shoulder tightened, he kissed me on my temple. 

"In custody of 12 years and a fine upto $500,000 for fraud and illegal sex trade trafficking". Raphael looked like he already accepted it, he neither tried to fight and didn't even state his innocence which is why it was easy to pass a conviction. 

This is the end. Finally it's done. 

We walked out of the room, Jungkook shielding me from the reporters who were firing questions glaring at them. Jimin walked on our left, blocking Jen who was walking in my direction with a glare. I almost missed her expression. Her eyes were laced with guilt and distress. I honestly don't give a shit about what she feels, she and her brother caused me even pain for me to feel any sort of emotion for her. 

Now I am finally free from the shackles of my past, the walls of my shells which cracked healing slowly. Jungkook's arm around me pulled me out of my desolate darkness. My lonely road, my castle of lies . My grey soul finally burning through ashes urging me to rise as a phoenix. 

Raising from my own ashes. I won with Jungkook beside me.