My mute bride novel (Rachel and Justin)
My Mute Bride Chapter 340

My Mute Bride Chapter 340

Chapter 340 Respecting My Daughter’s Wishes

“I remembered everything from the past.” Justin confessed to Gloria. “Rachel is Katie. It’s just that shehas lost her childhood memories.”

His words left Gloria absolutely shocked. How can that be!? Rachel is Katie!? “But, five years ago,you…”

His gaze dimmed at those words and a regretful expression lingered on his face. “It’s all my fault. Icouldn’t recognize her and even hurt her so badly. If I had known that she was Katie… How could I…How could I have…”

Suddenly, his eyes reddened.

On the other hand, it took a long time for her swirling emotions to settle down.

Gloria had remained by his side for more than twenty years. For that reason, nobody knew what Katiemeant to Justin better than her. Katie was practically his one and only belief throughout his earlieryears.

He maintained the scar on his face, inherited the Burton Group earlier on, and spent several yearsplotting to force Hudson Pharmaceuticals into a critical situation. Everything he did was to avenge the‘dead’ child. Who could have expected that Katie was still alive, much less that she became one of thesacrifices in his quest for revenge?

Fate sure plays cruel tricks. “Do you plan to tell Miss Rachel?”

“Yes.”

She gradually calmed down and shook her head. “Do you think that Miss Rachel will understand thereason for your past actions just because she learns that she is Katie?”

“I only want her to know that I never meant to harm her!”

“You’ve already hurt her.”

Her words were like a basin of cold water that poured on Justin’s heart.

Gloria added, “Five years ago, she was so badly injured that she practically left Riverdale on the vergeof death. What does it change even if she learns that she is Katie or that you ruthlessly caused thattragedy for Katie’s sake?”

Those injuries were undeniably real.

Justin was at a loss for what to say and looked depressed. “I know. I know…”

How could he not have considered everything she mentioned earlier?

“Look; I can help you to pass the message, but it will be completely up to Miss Rachel to decidewhether those actions are useful.”

On the contrary, he suddenly shook his head and bitterly said, “Forget it. You don’t need to tell her.”

Everything Justin did since obtaining his memories had been a waste of his efforts. If he could turnback time, he wished that he would be burned to death in the forest back then. That way, Rachel wouldnever have met a man like him.

“Gloria, just pretend you didn’t hear anything from me. Please keep this a secret; don’t let Rae replace out.”

“Why?”

“If she learns that the person she rescued all those years ago is me, she will most likely hate herself.”He looked around before his gaze landed in the direction of the bedroom. “Is Charlotte asleep?”

He had been recently too busy to take care of Charlotte, so he left everything to Gloria.

“Yeah, she’s asleep.”

“I’m going to see her.”

Looking at Justin’s back, Gloria suddenly felt sad.

Five years ago, she had watched helplessly as everything progressed in an irreversible direction. Theonly time she had rejoiced over something was when she helped Rachel to leave Riverdale. At thetime, she thought that everything would end there. However, Rachel had returned. I should haveexpected this outcome. A mother will never leave her children behind.

…

The court hearing for the custody rights lawsuit officially began at the Riverdale Courthouse the nextday. Both Rachel and Justin were present for the hearing.

Rachel’s representative lawyer was Hernandez, who was a battle-hardened man. He presented hisevidence one after another and stated why Justin was not suitable to be a father.

“Just from this recording alone, you can tell that he is a domineering man prone to extreme violence.How can a man like him raise a young girl to grow up in a healthy environment? Also, take a look atthis medical report. As far as I know, Mr. Burton, the defendant, has been actively cooperating with apsychiatrist for treatment. Does he have psychological problems? How can he raise his daughter withsuch problems?”

Justin’s lawyers had tried to intercept on numerous occasions, but they were always stopped byHernandez. They couldn’t hold back any longer this time around. “Your Honor, I have a question for theopposing counsel. Where did your medical records come from? If they are fake, then you arefabricating evidence. If they are genuine, then this is an invasion of privacy. Besides, all the so-calledcrimes that you mentioned are nonsense. Mr. Burton raised his daughter alone for five years. He evengave up the idea of remarrying for his daughter’s sake. Is that not a sacrifice? Besides, where was themother during these five years?!”

Hernandez was filled with righteous indignation. “I told you; Miss Hudson fled Riverdale back then. Ifshe had not left, was she supposed to wait until she was tortured to death instead?!”

“Where is the evidence?! You are spouting nonsense!”

“If we had the evidence, this would have been a criminal case instead! He would be sentenced to jailfor his crimes!”

“You’re confounding the public! This is an insult to Mr. Button’s character.”

The lawyers’ debate did not take any form of the so-called affection into account. Their language mightbe perfectly clean, but every single word they uttered had gouged at the other party’s deepest woundsand exposed the most cruel truth.

On the other hand, Rachel was the calmest person around as she had long mentally prepared herselffor the past to be brought up once more, so she was not afraid of these proceedings.

Meanwhile, Justin was unable to look her straight in the eye as he could not bear listening to hislawyers as they slandered her. Thus, he stopped his attorneys and asked, “I would like to saysomething. May I?”

The judge nodded in acquiescence.

Justin’s tall figure stood up from the defendant’s seat. His face was haggard and unshaven. It had onlybeen two days since they last met each other, but he looked like he had aged ten years during thattime. He seemed to have lost his spirit.

His voice was also rather hoarse. “I’m not saying this as the defendant. I just want to speak as a father.I was a terrible husband. I cannot deny that. However, as Charlotte’s father, I wish that she can grow uphappy and carefree. Charlotte’s greatest wish is for her parents to remarry each other so that she canhave a normal and loving family. I am unable to fulfill this wish of hers, so I feel very guilty.”

His eyes were bloodshot while the pupils were extremely red.

“However, ever since I became Charlotte’s father… From the day I saw that tiny child… She was sosmall that she could fit in the palm of my hand. So weak, yet so strong. I remember every moment ofthe past five years clearly. If I win this lawsuit, I will not stop Charlotte from meeting her mother. I will domy best to tell her that both her parents love her very much, but that is all I can do…”

Justin’s voice was choked with sobs at this point.

A man’s tears indicated extreme pain. Not to mention, his words were so sincere that all the jury on thescene were a little moved.

On the contrary, Rachel was completely unmoved.

The judge turned to look at the plaintiff’s seat. “Plaintiff, you may speak.”

She nodded slightly. “Your Honor, I can also portray a sad performance. However, I do not wish foranybody, especially my daughter, to view me as a weak mother. There is no doubt that I love mydaughter, so there’s no need for more words. I will respect my daughter’s wishes.”

Her daughter’s wishes? As soon as that statement rang out, the entire courtroom buzzed withdiscussion.

A figure had entered through the side door at some point in time. It was Jolly and Charlotte.

Justin was shocked. I can’t believe Rachel is so cruel that she doesn’t hesitate to let our daughterwitness this lawsuit!