Chapter 9 - The Verdict and The Divorce
It took the jury less than two hours to deliberate.
I sat in the front row, wearing a pristine white suit, perfectly composed. Julian stood at the defense table, trembling, refusing to look at me.
“On the charge of Aggravated Domestic Assault, we find the defendant, Julian Vance, guilty,” the foreperson read. “On the charge of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, guilty. On the charge of Breaking and Entering, guilty. On the charge of Violating a Protective Order, guilty.”
The judge didn't hold back during sentencing. Citing Julian's complete lack of remorse and pattern of predatory behavior, he handed down a combined sentence of eighteen years in state prison, with no possibility of parole for twelve.
Eleanor, having pled guilty to attempted assault with a deadly weapon, received a seven-year sentence. Marcus secured a plea deal for his cooperation, resulting in three years of probation and a massive restitution fine.
As the bailiffs moved to handcuff Julian, he finally locked eyes with me. There was no charm left. No arrogance. Just the hollow, terrified stare of a man who realized he had tried to cage a tiger and had been eaten alive.
“You ruined my life,” he mouthed silently.
I stood up, holding his gaze. I didn’t smile. I didn't gloat. I simply offered him a slow, deliberate nod of acknowledgment.
May you like
No, Julian. I just managed the risk.
That afternoon, a family court judge signed the final divorce decree. My maiden name was legally restored, the marriage annulled on the grounds of severe fraud. It was as if the seventy-two-hour mistake had been scrubbed from history.
