Chapter 13: The Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than four hours.
Elena sat in the gallery, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Marcus sat beside her, offering a supportive presence. When the jurors filed back into the box, neither side looked at the defense table. It was a telltale sign.
"On the count of Aggravated Assault in the First Degree, we find the defendant... Guilty," the foreperson read, her voice ringing clear. "On the count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, we find the defendant... Guilty."
A collective gasp swept through the courtroom. Julian slumped in his chair, burying his face in his hands. The judge struck her gavel, sentencing Julian to consecutive maximum terms, ensuring he would not see the outside of a prison for decades.
May you like
As the bailiffs hauled Julian to his feet to remand him, he didn't look back.
Elena walked out of the heavy courtroom doors and stepped into the warm afternoon sun. The air tasted sweeter than it ever had before. The chapter of her life defined by Julian Vance was officially closed. Now, it was time to write the rest of her story.
