Chapter 17
The courtroom was silent. All eyes were on the judge as he delivered the verdict.
“Sabrina Hart, you are hereby sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to commit harm, attempted murder, and obstruction of justice.”
The words echoed through the chamber, final and absolute. I exhaled slowly, my fingers tightening around the edge of the bench.
It was over. It was finally over. For weeks, I had sat through this trial, listening to the testimonies, the evidence, the lies Sabrina tried to spin.
At first, she was calm. Composed. Acting as if she had done nothing wrong.
But as the case against her grew stronger as the witnesses came forward, as the surveillance footage played in front of the entire court- She began to crack.N
And now, as the final sentence was read, she lost everything. A guard moved toward her, ready to escort her out->
But then–N
She snapped.N
“No!” Sabrina shrieked, pushing against them. “This isn’t right! You have to believe me!“}]
The judge ignored her. The guards grabbed her arms.
And then her wild, frantic eyes locked onto me.N
“Veronica!”
Istiffened.
Before I could move, Sabrina broke free and ran to me, falling to her knees.
Her fingers clawed at my dress, her face a mess of tears and desperation.
“Please!” she sobbed. “You can’t let them do this! I can’t go to prison! Patty needs me!“}
I didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just stared down at her as she begged. The same woman who had once laughed as she had stolen my husband. The same woman who had tried to kill me and my unborn child. The same woman who had ruined my life. And now she crying at my feet? Pathetic.
I tilted my head, my voice steady. “You didn’t care about my child.“@
Sabrina sobbed harder. “Please! You don’t understand-“8
I ripped my dress from her grasp.
“You made your choices,” I said coldly. “Now live with them.”
Her breath hitched.
And then-
The guards dragged her away.
She fought against them, screaming, her voice echoing in the halls-
Until she disappeared.}
And finally-
I felt free.
was
The moment I stepped inside the house, I paused. The lights were dimmed, soft music playing in the background. The scent of vanilla and roses filled the air.
Then-
“Surprise!“}
Brandon appeared in the dining room, a grin on his face. My mouth parted slightly as I took in the scene. A beautifully set table, candles flickering. Expensive wine. My favorite dishes. A celebration.
“For me?” I asked, raising a brow.
Brandon smirked. “Who else?“}
I exhaled, shaking my head. “You didn’t have to-“}
“I wanted to.”
His voice was firm.
I met his gaze.
For a moment, I felt light.
This was different.”
I wasn’t pretending to be happy. I was happy.”
We sat down, sharing wine, talking, eating. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to just be.
No revenge. No pain. Just this moment.
And then, as the night wound down, as we sat side by side, my mind wandered. To the future. To the marriage. I hesitated.
#
*
10:13 AM
Brandon noticed.
“You’re thinking about something,” he murmured, taking a sip of his wine.
I exhaled. “I was just… wondering.“}
“About?”
I swallowed, looking down. “The wedding.“}
Brandon raised a brow. “You’re not getting cold feet, are you?“>
I almost laughed. “No.”
Then my expression softened.
“I just… I know you deserve a family, Brandon.”
His smirk faded.}
I forced myself to continue.
“I can’t… give that to you.”
Brandon was silent.
I lowered my gaze, my throat tightening. “If you want to call off the wedding, I-“} “Veronica.”
His voice was steady.
looked up.
Brandon leaned forward, his eyes locked onto mine. “We are a family.“}
I sucked in a breath.
“We don’t need kids to be happy,” he continued. “But if we ever want one… we can adopt.”}
My heart clenched.§
His tone softened. “But even if we don’t… I still choose you.”
Tears burned at the back of my eyes.
For years, I had been second choice.
To Elias. To everyone.
But here, with Brandon-
I was enough.
I swallowed hard.
“Then let’s do it,” I whispered.
Brandon tilted his head. “Do what?”
i smiled.
“Let’s get married as soon as possible.”}
His eyes flickered with something warm. He grinned. “About time, sweetheart.” And he pulled me in for a kiss.}
Hapter 17
