“They planned this,” I whispered, tears of anger replacing the tears of fear. “From the very beginning. The pregnancy wasn’t a blessing to them. It was a deadline.”
“They thought you were weak because you were kind,” Eli said, his hand closing over my shoulder with immovable strength. “They mistook mercy for surrender. But they forgot who brought you up.”
The door swung open, and Sarah Jenkins stepped inside, her eyes gleaming with cold triumph.
“It’s done,” Jenkins said. “Judge Alvarez denied Trent bail. He’s being transferred to the maximum-security wing of the county facility pending trial. Richard was arrested thirty minutes ago at his country club in front of fifty of his peers. And Helen is currently in an orange jumpsuit at the precinct.”
Jenkins turned to me, her expression softening into genuine warmth. “Claire, the federal prosecutors have officially taken over the racketeering charges. You will never have to speak to Trent Vance again unless you choose to look him in the eye when you take the stand at his sentencing.”
