Chapter 9 - The Reckoning
Three months passed.
The twins, Alexander and Victoria, were finally released from the NICU, healthy, screaming, and absolutely perfect. We moved into a stunning penthouse overlooking the city—a property I had purchased in cash, completely untraceable to Julian’s old assets.
Julian’s trial was the media circus of the decade.
Because of his attempted murder in the hospital, no amount of money or high-priced lawyers could save him. He was stripped of everything. The state seized his remaining hidden assets to pay off the massive debts he owed.
I attended his sentencing via video link from my living room, rocking Victoria in my arms while Alexander slept peacefully in his bassinet.
The judge looked down at Julian, who was wearing a bright orange jumpsuit, looking gaunt, broken, and terrified.
"Julian Hayes," the judge declared. "For the charges of massive corporate fraud, aggravated assault on a pregnant woman, and attempted murder, I sentence you to forty-five years in a federal penitentiary, without the possibility of parole."
Julian collapsed into his chair, burying his face in his hands, weeping uncontrollably. There was no arrogance left. No Italian loafers. No glass smiles. Just a pathetic, hollow shell of a man who had finally reaped exactly what he sowed.
I turned off the television before they even led him out of the courtroom. I didn't need to see it. He was a ghost to me now.
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As for Chloe, the internet had a long memory. Without her wealthy sponsors, she was forced to declare bankruptcy. Last I heard, she was working the night shift at a cheap diner on the edge of town, her designer bags sold off to pay her legal fees.
The slate was wiped clean. The poison had been excised.
