Chapter 8 - THE VERDICT
The jury deliberated for less than two hours.
When they returned to the courtroom, the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Harrison stood up, his knees visibly shaking, his eyes darting frantically around the room.
"On the charge of aggravated assault on a minor, we find the defendant guilty."
"On the charge of premeditated insurance fraud, we find the defendant guilty."
"On the charge of child endangerment, we find the defendant guilty."
Harrison collapsed backward into his wooden chair, burying his face in his trembling hands.
The judge did not waste any time moving straight to the formal sentencing.
"Harrison Sterling, you have shown absolutely no remorse for your horrific actions," the judge announced.
"You brutally attacked an innocent child to cover up your own pathetic, greedy crimes."
"I am sentencing you to fifteen years in a maximum-security state penitentiary, without the possibility of early parole."
The sound of the gavel slamming down echoed loudly in my ears.
It sounded like the heavy, final closing of a thick iron door.
Harrison looked back at me as the guards violently pulled him to his feet.
"Claire, please!" he begged, tears streaming down his pale face.
"Tell them I didn't mean to do it!"
I looked him dead in the eye, feeling completely empty and entirely at peace.
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"That's what happens when you act like a monster, Harrison," I replied coldly.
He was dragged out of the courtroom, kicking and screaming like the spoiled, entitled child he truly was.
