Chapter 1

On my wedding day, I was assaulted by my fiancé’s best friend.

Afterward, everyone advised me to just let it go.

“They’ve been inseparable since childhood with your husband. If you make a fuss, how can you expect him to choose a side?”

“Besides, if people find out, what about your reputation?”

I didn’t listen to a word. I took them straight to court.

On the day of the hearing, however, Ryan tore open their shirt in front of everyone.

“Stella, we’re both women.”

“Why don’t you tell the judge how I, a woman, could possibly assault you?”

I stared at their flat chest, my mind blank.

But that day, they clearly had a *tool* for the crime, didn’t they?

The courtroom was silent for three seconds.

Then it erupted.

“A woman?”

“So it’s a false accusation?”

“I knew it was impossible…”

Ryan stood in the defendant’s box, shirt open, their chest binder creating red marks, chest as flat as a board.

They didn’t cover up.

They even turned sideways, letting Judge Hayes see more clearly.

“Judge, Liam and I grew up together. To him, I was always just like a brother.”

Ryan forced a smile. “Stella drank too much on her wedding day and insisted on talking to me.”

“I helped her to the lounge to lie down, and I was out of there in less than two minutes.”

“I don’t know why she’s falsely accusing me.”

As they spoke, their eyes welled up slightly.

“Perhaps it’s because… Liam is too good to me?”

The gallery stirred again.

“So this whole thing is about jealousy?”

“That’s just too crazy, they’re a woman!”

“Some women just can’t stand their husbands being nice to other people…”

Judge Hayes rapped the gavel.

“Silence.”

He looked at me, his gaze complex.

“Plaintiff, do you have any response to the defendant’s statements?”

What did I have to respond to?

I opened my mouth.

The scene from that day flooded back.

The door locked.

I was pressed onto the sofa, my head spinning, figures blurred before my eyes.

“You’re so fair, Stella.”

It was Ryan’s voice.

I felt their hand, their weight, and that *thing*.

Cold, hard, pushing inside.

I couldn’t be mistaken.

“That day…” I clenched my fist. “You had *a device*.”

Ryan paused, then burst out laughing.

“What *device*? I’m a woman, what would I use…?”

They didn’t finish.

But everyone understood.

Someone chuckled.

“Plaintiff, please provide evidence,” Judge Hayes frowned.

Evidence.

I had the hospital report, which indeed showed signs of intrusion.

But the report stated that no traces of semen were detected.

At the time, I didn't think much of it.

I thought Ryan had taken precautions.

Now I understood.

That *thing* wasn’t a biological organ to begin with.

“I…”

“Judge.”

Mr. Davison, Ryan’s lawyer, stood up, cutting me off. “The defendant is female and does not possess the physical means for such an act. If the plaintiff cannot provide evidence, this itself constitutes a false accusation.”

“We reserve the right to counter-sue.”

Counter-sue.

Malicious prosecution.

I was now the accuser of a false accusation.

“Plaintiff?” Judge Hayes’s voice came. “Do you have anything else to say?”

Everyone was looking at me.

Ryan was looking at me too.

They were too calm.

Not like a victim of false accusation.

More like they were watching me make a fool of myself.

I took a deep breath.

“Judge, I request a recess.”

“I need to gather additional evidence.”

As soon as I spoke, someone in the gallery stood up.

It was Liam.

“Judge, may I say a few words?”

Judge Hayes glanced at him. “And you are?”

“The plaintiff’s husband.” He paused. “And also the defendant’s best friend since childhood.”

The courtroom fell silent.