GoodReadChapter 183 Ryan The courtroom smelled of old paper and polished wood, a place that had seen too many lives shattered and justice-whatever that meant-served in one form or another.
I sat between Lily and my mother, Sarah, my hands clenched together so tightly that my knuckles had turned white. Lily placed her hand over mine, a silent attempt to comfort me, but nothing could ease the anger raging inside me.
This was it. The final hearing. The day I would finally hear the verdict against Maya—the woman who had murdered my father and conspired in the kidnapping of my sons.
I could feel my mother trembling beside me, her grief worn into the fine lines of her face. She had been silent throughout most of these proceedings, but her silence spoke volumes.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe judge, a stern-looking man with silver-rimmed glasses, adjusted his papers before speaking. "This court is now in session for the final hearing in the case of Maya Albright, charged with the murder of Richard Williams and accomplice to the kidnapping of Ethan, Liam and Noah Williams." The mention f my sons' names madeeven more angry. My boys. My little boys, who had been dragged into this nightmare because of Maya and her accomplice, Clover. The thought of what could have happened if we hadn't found them in ttwisted my stomach into knots.
Maya sat at the defendant's table, dressed in a simple gray suit, her hands shackled in front of her. Her face was pale, almost hollowed out from the months she had spent in prison awaiting this day. She looked up for a moment, her eyes meeting mine. I held it. I wanted her to see me. To see the devastation she had caused. But when I expected to see remorse in her expression, I found nothing.
The prosecution lawyer, Mr. Caldwell, stood first. He turned toward the jury, his voice steady, measured. "Ladies and gentlemen, you have heard the evidence, seen the testimonies, and listened to the confessions. Maya Albright has admitted to the premeditated murder of Richard Williams. She has also confessed to conspiring with Clover Maddox in the kidnapping of the defendant's three minor sons, with the intention of ending their lives. There is no room for doubt here her guilt has been established. The prosecution rests." Maya's lawyer, a man named Holloway, rose slowly, adjusting his suit jacket. "Your Honor, while my client has indeed pleaded guilty, I ask the court to consider her cooperation with law enforcement after her arrest. She provided critical information regarding Clover Maddox's whereabouts. I urge the court to take this into account during sentencing." I felt my mother's hand tighten on my arm.
Cooperation? She had only given up Clover after she realized there was no way out. That wasn't remorse. That was self-preservation.
The judge turned his gaze toward Maya. "Ms. Albright, do you have anything to say before sentencing is delivered?" For a moment, silence stretched in the courtroom. Then Maya stood, her shackles clinking softly. Her voice, when she spoke, was devoid of emotion. "I have nothing to say." Nothing. Not a single apology. Not even a pretense of regret.
I exhaled sharply, my jaw tightening as I fought to keep my anger from spilling over. Lily shifted beside me, tense, but she said nothing.
The judge gave a slow nod before glancing at the jury foreperson. "Has the jury reached a verdict?" A middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a firm posture stood. "We have, Your Honor." "Please read the verdict." My pulse pounded in my ears as she unfolded the slip of paper.
"In the case of murder in the first degree, we, the jury, find the defendant, Maya Albright, guilty." A hush fell over the room, broken only by a sharp intake of breath from my mother. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
The foreperson continued, "In the case of conspiracy and accomplice to kidnapping, we find the defendant, Maya Albright, guilty." Relief. It flooded throughso fast I almost felt lightheaded.
The judge nodded before speaking.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"In light of the jury's decision and the severity of the crimes, the court hereby sentences Maya Albright to life in prison without the possibility of parole." en Life.
Maya didn't move. Didn't react. It was as if the verdict meant nothing to her. But it meant everything to me. It meant my father hadn't died without justice. It meant my sons would never have to fear her
shadow lurking in the background of their lives. It meant that finally, We could start to heal. The gavel struck the wood, and it was over.
Maya was led out of the courtroom in chains. I didn't watch her go. Instead, I turned to my wife, to my mother. Lily's eye's shimmered with unshed tears, and she wrapped her arms around me. My mother pressed a shaking hand to her lips, closing her eyes as if in silent prayer. Justice had been served. But the scars? Those would remain.
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
