Bruce has just been released form Jail with a stern warning, he exists the station where his Attorney waits outside for him
D.W: How are you holding up Mr Lane?(she asks as they walk together)
BRUCE: I just wanna see my daughters (he replied with a gloomy look)
D.W: Before you do that, don't you think you should have a plan?
BRUCE: (stops walking) A plan?
D.W: Yes, because I assume you're still gonna go ahead with the Divorce right?
BRUCE: .. After what my daughters just went through..really?
D.W: Mr Lane,you can't keep using that as an excuse
BRUCE: Do you have Kids?
D.W: oh not this again(she groans)
BRUCE: If you did, you'd understand me, My daughters just went through hell!, one is injured and the other is paralyzed on fear, I'm sorry, but I won't do them any more harm.(he says as he continues walking)
D.W: You're harming them just by staying together,don't you see??
BRUCE: ....
D.W: Mr Lane,Eva treats you like trash
BRUCE: But with good reason!...I mean..I haven't been a firm provider in this family,I'm sure if I had a better income all this wouldn't have happened
D.W: Please stop,don't blame yourself,you have been trying your absolute best,and plus that's no excuse her abuse!
BRUCE: oh good Lord (he groaned)
D.W: Believe it or not Mr Lane..Abuse of men is real and it's way more common than you think and it will keep going on if you men remain silent!
BRUCE:(Stops walking as he lets out a deep sigh)
D.W: Sorry to say, But that woman doesn't love you,and needles to say,If a divorce was ever to take place,due to what happened today,she has higher chances of having custody of both girls
BRUCE: N..no, no I can't lose my daughters, Councellor!,you can't let that happen,Eva won't let me see them ever again!, I'd die without them(he says as he begins to tear up)
D W:Calm down Mr Lane,If we can prove what really happened yesterday,then maybe you can be offered shared custody,but I can't make any promises
BRUCE:(shakes his head hopelessly) The judge will never grant me custody will he?
D.W: Never say never Mr Lane, Nothing is impossible, and I promise I'll do everything in my power to make sure you don't lose your children,but I'll give you some advice...get yourself a job, whatever brings a steady income,to prove you are capable of attending to the girls needs..do you have any business plans maybe?
Bruce thinks for a while before asking the lawyer for her phone,and he calls up P.J
P. J: Hello?
BRUCE: P.J, it's me Bruce...I'm ready to accept your offer.
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Some Minutes later,Bruce arrives home with the lawyer 'Divine Walters', Layla and Nora runs to embrace their father who welcomed them with kisses,The children break down in tears as they hold on to their father tightly and Bruce consoles and apologies to them...but the tender moment is ruined as Eva walks in with a low scowl.
EVA: Who the hell is this and what is she doing in my house? (she asks with a disdainful look)
D.W: Divine Walters... Family Lawyer (she replied as she introduced herself with her hand streched Forward for a handshake but Eva snobbishly declines)
EVA: (Scoffs) When did you start having lawyers?
BRUCE: Eva please... it's enough,I beg you
EVA: Enough of what??,and Layla what are you thanking this lady for exactly?...I was the one who dropped charges,if I hadn't your stupid father wouldn't be here right now
Divine Walters: I'll ask that you show some respect Ma'am,or at least some empathy for your children
EVA: Hmph..how can you as a woman support an abusive man?(Eva asks with a look of disgust)
BRUCE: That's not true and you know it!
EVA: Well it is..he did it in a fit of rage(she says to the Attorney)
LAYLA: That's a lie!
EVA: Shut up you little brat!
BRUCE: Don't raise your voice at my daughter like that!
D.W: Kids,it's best you go to your room for now okay?
LAYLA: No!, I'm never leaving my dad with her again! (she yelled clinging on to her father)
EVA: Why you little...I told you already,your father was the one who hurt both of us yesterday!,just because he was upset!
"Th.. That's not true" , Nora says hesitantly on a soft and shaky tone as everyone turns to her in surprise
NORA: I...I saw everything...
Eva's eyes widened on hearing Nora's words.
NARRATOR:
Research has shown that one in three victims of domestic abuse are men,about two in five of all victims of domestic abuse are men.
Men assaulted by their partners are often ignored by the police and see their attacker go free.
Male victims of abuse almost never report their abusers because they feel embarrassed and fear they'll be laughed at due to the society's typical masculine stereotypes.
ABUSE OF MEN IS REAL AND SHOULD NOT BE A SUBJECT OF MOCKERY.
The end.
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NEXT STORY
SYNOPSIS
"What is this?", I asked trying to work out what the papers I held in my hands said
"Babe, I'm pregnant!" Alana,My wife,yells out joyfully with a wide grin that made her teary eyes sparkle
I remained silent for a split second,but moments later a smile broke through my face,I almost couldn't believe I was going to be a father. Alana hugged me tightly and I held her back lovingly on my arms,tears well up my eyes as my body flows through with so many emotions all at once.
Ofcourse every husband rejoices on hearing they are going to be a father,but for me it's so much more than that, having a child with Alana would be the symbol of the undisputed love we have for each other and it's also a chance for me to truly prove my love to Alana just as much as she's been proving it to me in the past years...Our story's a tough one...
My name is Noah Williams, I'm 28 years old and I'm married to the most loyal and caring woman in the world,Alana is definitely the most precious gift the good Lord has ever given to me. We actually grew up together, back when we were little,we were barely even friends,not long she moved out with her family and I thought I'd never see her again, until one day,our paths crossed again when I was 18, she was so much more beautiful than how I could have imagined..and so we became friends, bst friends even. Her caring and humane nature made it impossible not to fall in love with her,she treated everyone around her with so much love and compassion..a crown Jewel indeed.
But Ofcourse Being so sweet and doting ,many people sought to take advantage of her, but that's where I came in,I always did the impossible to make sure she saw the light of truth regardless the darkness of lies that surrounded her,I guess that's why she grew to love me too...we started dating when I was 20 years old,she was 18,her parents and siblings simply adored me.
Dropping out of college, I worked as a delivery guy..One unfortunate day, I was accused and imprisoned for something I never did....'Sexual Assault', I pleaded innocent to everyone but no one believed me,the entire world was against me. Alana was the only one who stood by my side, never doubting me for even a second, I was imprisoned for 5years, the day I got out,Alana was right outside, waiting for me with a tender smile on her face, that's when I knew she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Couple months later I proposed,and she saying yes made me the happiest man in the world, her family was totally against us getting married,cause now they only see me as a rapist and nothing more,but we did it anyway and we've been together ever since.
Though we promised to share everything with each other, There are still some things I don't tell her...some things..I don't tell anyone.
NEXT: Story 2 ⚡
'Silent Noah'💧
Episode 1~Determined