Chapter 8 - The Verdict
It took the jury less than forty minutes to reach a unanimous verdict.
When the foreperson stood up to read the paper, the silence in the courtroom was absolute.
"On all counts of corporate arson, municipal corruption, fraud, and involuntary manslaughter," the foreperson declared clearly, "the jury finds the defendants... Guilty."
A collective gasp swept through the gallery. The lead developer slumped back in his chair, his head bowed in defeat, while federal marshals immediately stepped forward to place handcuffs on the conspirators.
I closed my eyes, letting out a long, shuddering breath as a decade's worth of chains fell away from my soul. David could finally rest in peace. The nightmare was over.
As we walked out of the courthouse, the winter sun broke through the gray clouds, bathing the steps in golden light. Maya and Lily threw their arms around my waist, cheering at the top of their lungs.
"We won!" Lily shouted, jumping up and down.
"Mommy won!" Maya corrected with a beaming smile.
May you like
Julian pulled all three of us into a warm, protective embrace, kissing the top of my head.
"We did it," Julian whispered against my ear. "Together."
