Chapter 9 - The Courtroom Collapse
The day of the final sentencing arrived with a heavy downpour of rain.
I walked into the courtroom entirely on my own two feet, no wheelchair required.
I wore a sharp, crimson suit that made me feel like armor.
Marcus and Evelyn were seated far apart, refusing to even look at each other.
The jury had already found them guilty on all counts of fraud, grand larceny, and attempted murder.
The judge looked down at the two miserable people before him.
“In all my years on the bench, I have rarely seen such calculated malice,” the judge began.
“You preyed upon a vulnerable family member for financial gain.”
He looked directly at Evelyn.
“Evelyn Vance, for your violent crimes and conspiracy, I sentence you to twenty-five years in federal prison.”
Evelyn collapsed into her chair, sobbing hysterically as the reality of dying in a cell hit her.
The judge then turned his cold gaze to my ex-husband.
“Marcus Vance, for orchestrating massive financial fraud and endangering a life, you are sentenced to thirty years.”
Marcus closed his eyes, his shoulders shaking as his entire world vanished.
I stood up from my seat in the front row.
Marcus opened his eyes and looked at me one final time.
I didn't smile, and I didn't gloat.
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I simply turned my back on him and walked out of the courtroom.
I left him in the past, exactly where he belonged.
