Chapter 9 - Justice for Isabella
Six months passed. The autumn leaves turned gold and crimson over the city.
The trial of Valeria St. Clair and the corrupt executives of the St. Clair foundation had been the biggest news story of the year. With the ironclad evidence provided by Clara Hayes and the full, terrifying backing of the Moretti legal empire, there was no escape. Valeria was sentenced to life without parole for the first-degree murder of Isabella Moretti and corporate fraud.
But the biggest victory happened outside the courtroom.
With Dante’s immense influence and resources, the medical board held a special, emergency review. Clara’s name was completely cleared. The hospital board members who had framed her were exposed, fired, and stripped of their credentials. Clara Hayes was officially reinstated as a registered nurse, her record pristine, her honor completely restored.
To celebrate, Dante didn't throw a lavish mafia gala. Instead, he rented out the city’s finest private botanical garden for a quiet afternoon.
Clara stood by a fountain, watching Lily chase butterflies through the flowers. She wore a beautiful emerald dress, her hair pinned up elegantly—no longer looking like a tired, stressed woman running from bills, but a woman completely at peace.
Dante walked up beside her, hands in his pockets, a rare, relaxed smile on his face. "You look beautiful, Clara."
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"I still can't believe it," Clara said, looking at her hands. "I can practice medicine again. I can heal people. You gave me my life back, Dante."
"You gave me my soul back," Dante countered softly, turning to face her. "For ten years, I thought my mother left me without a word. You found her voice. You saved her memory."
