Chapter 14 - THE VERDICT
The trial lasted months.
The evidence was overwhelming.
Financial records.
Emails.
Medical requests.
Employee testimony.
The recording.
The kidnapping.
The hidden transfers.
And finally, the document that proved Brendan personally authorized the delay that prevented Chloe from receiving timely treatment.
The jury found him guilty of multiple financial and criminal offenses.
Eleanor received an even longer sentence.
The Fairchild empire collapsed.
Executives resigned.
Properties were sold.
Accounts were seized.
The family mansion was eventually auctioned.
I attended the auction.
I stood outside Chloe's old bedroom one last time.
The crib was gone.
The walls were empty.
For a moment, I remembered her laughter.
Three years earlier, I had walked into that house believing it was my future.
Now I walked out carrying a small photograph.
Not ashes.
Not evidence.
Just Chloe.
Samantha came outside.
Her pregnancy was showing.
“You don't have to stay,” I told her.
She smiled sadly.
“I know.”
She touched her stomach.
“I named her Chloe.”
I froze.
“What?”
“After your daughter.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“You don't have to do that.”
“I want to.”
May you like
We hugged.
For the first time in months, I cried without feeling broken.
