DISTRICT COURTROOM, JAKARTA - MORNING
The courtroom was filled with a tension that felt almost physical. David sat in formal attire, his face resolute but his body showing the cumulative exhaustion of this long battle. Beside him, Robert and the legal team prepared stacks of documents. Sofia was present as a witness, her face still showing remnants of fear but with newfound determination in her eyes.
Natasha sat with a disturbing calmness in the defendant's chair. A faint smile occasionally crossed her lips, as if she was savoring every second of this process.
"Your Honor," the Public Prosecutor began. "We will prove that the defendant, Natasha Irene, has committed extortion, threats, and data hacking with the aim of destroying the victim's family life."
PRESENTING EVIDENCE: SHREDDING NATASHA'S CREDIBILITY
One by one, David's team presented solid evidence:
1. Encrypted conversation recordings between Natasha and a hired hacker, discussing plans to install a backdoor in David's company system.
2. Transcripts of threats sent by Natasha to Elara's phone, including close-up photos of Alisha with the message: "Small accidents can happen to poorly guarded children."
3. Proof of fund transfers from Natasha's shell company account to several accounts linked to the stalking and photographing of Alisha.
4. Sofia's testimony, which clearly described how Natasha exploited her husband's weakness to blackmail her, and how Natasha proudly stated she would "have David, by any means necessary."
5. Natasha's digital diary recovered by the digital forensics team, containing sentences like: "He will return to me. I will destroy everything that stands in the way, including his holier-than-thou wife."
THE FIRST SHOCK: FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF THE PHOTO
David's lawyer stood up. "Your Honor, regarding the photo that triggered all of this—the photo showing my client together with the defendant in bed."
David straightened his posture, his heart pounding.
"After a thorough forensic examination," the lawyer continued, "we confirm that the photo is genuine, not edited."
A low ripple of whispers spread through the room. David closed his eyes briefly.
"HOWEVER," the lawyer's voice hardened, "we have a toxicology expert witness who will prove that on that night, our client, David Laurent, had his drink laced with benzodiazepine—a sedative drug that can cause memory loss and unconsciousness."
A professor of toxicology took the stand, explaining in detail how drug residue was found in emergency blood tests conducted at the hospital after David's car accident. "The level in his bloodstream is consistent with someone who could not provide conscious consent to sexual activity."
NATASHA PREPARES TO STRIKE BACK
Natasha's face remained calm, even as allegations of rape while unconscious began to circulate. Her lawyer immediately stood up.
"My client does not deny that intimacy occurred," he said slyly. "But it occurred between two conscious adults. The allegation of rape is a vicious slander."
Then Natasha stood up herself. "Your Honor, I wish to make a personal statement."
She walked slowly, then turned to face the courtroom. "All this evidence... all these recordings and documents... they only show how much I loved David." Her voice suddenly trembled perfectly, as if meticulously rehearsed. "Love makes us do reckless things. But there is one truth that cannot be disputed by any document."
She turned to David, her eyes suddenly filled with "tears." "I am pregnant with your child, David. Seven weeks. Our baby."
EXPLOSION IN THE COURTROOM
Chaos erupted. Journalists surged forward, the prosecutor shouted for order, while David sat paralyzed. His face was as pale as a corpse.
"This... this is impossible," he murmured, but his voice was lost in the uproar.
"A DNA test will prove it," Natasha's lawyer exclaimed with triumph in his voice. "And based on the conception date, this occurred on the same night David came to my apartment—the night we were together."
DAVID CORNERED
In the courtroom lounge, David trembled uncontrollably. "She's lying, Robert. There must be a way..."
"She has a doctor's certificate," Robert whispered, showing a copy of the document provided by Natasha's lawyer. "From a reputable clinic. The dates are consistent with... that night."
"But I don't remember anything! Even if... if it did happen, I was unconscious!" David shouted.
"Legally, this will be a long battle," his lead lawyer said with a grim face. "And in the eyes of the public... she has already won."
CALL TO PARIS
David locked himself in a bathroom stall, his trembling hand dialing Elara's number. The phone rang once, twice...
"El," his voice was hoarse when Elara answered. "There's been a development... a bad one."
"How bad?" asked Elara, wary.
"Natasha... she claims to be pregnant. Says I'm the father."
The piercing silence on the other end was so painful that David could hear his own heartbeat.
"El? Please say something."
"Is it possible?" Elara's voice finally came through, flat and hollow.
"Technically... if what she says about that night is true... it's possible." David closed his eyes, feeling like he was drowning. "But I don't remember, El. I swear, I don't remember anything."
"And now?" whispered Elara.
"The trial is adjourned. She's demanding a DNA test. If I refuse..." David couldn't continue.
"If you refuse, the world will see you as a coward who won't take responsibility," Elara finished his sentence, her voice sounding too clear, too calm. "And if you agree... and it's proven to be your child?"
"El, I—"
"Don't," Elara cut him off, and this time David could hear the tremor in her voice. "Don't say anything yet. I... I need time."
The call ended.
David hunched over the sink, nausea overwhelming him. Outside, Robert knocked on the door.
"David, there are reporters from every major media outlet outside. We need a statement."
But David couldn't move. His mind was fixated on one thing: Elara, in Paris, with Kael. And now, the possibility of an unwanted child with the woman who wanted to destroy them.