Chapter 4: Justice
Chapter 4: Justice
Eight months later...
The courtroom overflowed with journalists.
Santiago entered wearing a gray prison uniform instead of an Italian suit.
He searched the gallery until he found Valeria.
She looked different.
Confident.
Peaceful.
Strong.
Mateo sat in Ricardo's arms nearby, smiling without understanding the importance of the day.
The prosecutor played the recordings.
Every threat.
Every confession.
Every lie.
Santiago avoided looking at the jury.
Beatriz testified in her own defense.
She blamed everyone except herself.
No one believed her.
Then Valeria took the stand.
She spoke for less than thirty minutes.
Never once raising her voice.
Never once crying.
She simply told the truth.
When the verdict finally came, the courtroom stood frozen.
"Guilty."
On every count.
Domestic violence.
Fraud.
Conspiracy.
Forgery.
Attempted unlawful confinement.
Santiago lowered his head.
The judge sentenced him to twenty-eight years in prison.
Beatriz received fifteen.
As deputies led Santiago away, he looked back one last time.
"I'm sorry."
Valeria met his eyes.
"I forgave you a long time ago."
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"But forgiveness doesn't erase consequences."
Those were the last words she ever spoke to him.
