CHAPTER 14 — THE TRIAL
Six months later, Isabella Rossi entered court wearing a gray prison uniform.
The woman who had once controlled every room now kept her eyes on the floor.
Sebastian sat at the defense table beside her.
Victor Dane and Elaine Parker had accepted plea deals in exchange for testimony.
The courtroom was packed.
Khloe sat in the front row.
Hope slept in Adrian’s arms, healthy and growing stronger every day.
Marcus sat three seats away from Khloe.
They had lived separately since leaving the hospital.
He attended therapy.
He met Hope twice a week under Khloe’s conditions.
He never asked for more.
The prosecutor played the hospital footage.
Khloe watched herself fall.
She heard her own voice begging Isabella to stop.
Marcus closed his eyes.
Isabella did not look at the screen.
Victor testified first.
“Sebastian paid me to disable the camera.”
“Did Marcus know?”
“No.”
“Did Marcus order anyone to harm his wife?”
“No.”
Elaine testified that Isabella had planned to claim self-defense.
“She said the baby’s death would make Marcus emotionally dependent on her.”
Isabella shouted, “Liar!”
The judge ordered her to remain silent.
Then Sebastian took the stand against his attorney’s advice.
He claimed Khloe had created the audit to seize control of the company.
The prosecutor held up the bank records.
“Did Mrs. Thorne force you to transfer forty million dollars?”
“No.”
“Did she force you to abduct her daughter?”
Sebastian’s face reddened.
“I was protecting the company.”
“You removed oxygen from a premature infant.”
“I knew doctors were nearby.”
Marcus stood suddenly.
“You almost killed her!”
The judge struck the gavel.
“Mr. Thorne, sit down.”
Marcus obeyed.
Khloe looked at him.
He whispered, “I’m sorry.”
After three weeks, the jury returned.
Isabella was found guilty of aggravated assault, attempted murder, conspiracy, and escape.
Sebastian was convicted of fraud, kidnapping, attempted murder, and criminal conspiracy.
Victor and Elaine received reduced sentences for cooperation.
Marianne Hale pleaded guilty to conspiracy and unauthorized access. Adrian filed for divorce and visited her once before sentencing.
The judge addressed Isabella.
“You targeted a pregnant woman because you believed wealth, beauty, and influence would protect you.”
Isabella stared ahead.
“They did not.”
She received thirty-two years in prison.
Sebastian received forty-five.
As officers led them away, Isabella looked at Marcus.
“You’ll come back to me.”
Marcus didn’t move.
“No.”
“You loved me.”
“I used you to escape my own failures.”
Her face twisted.
“And now?”
“Now I have to live with what that cost.”
Isabella was dragged from the courtroom.
Outside, reporters surrounded Khloe.
“Mrs. Thorne, will you reconcile with your husband?”
Khloe looked toward Marcus.
He remained several steps behind her, holding Hope’s diaper bag while Adrian carried the baby.
Khloe faced the cameras.
“This case was never a love triangle.”
The reporters quieted.
“It was about entitlement. Isabella believed she was entitled to my husband. Sebastian believed he was entitled to stolen money. Marcus believed he was entitled to betray me without consequences.”
Marcus lowered his eyes.
Khloe continued.
“They were all wrong.”
A reporter asked, “Have you forgiven him?”
Khloe looked at Marcus again.
“Forgiveness is not the same as trust.”
Then she walked toward the courthouse steps.
Marcus followed at a respectful distance.
At the bottom, Khloe stopped.
“Marcus.”
He looked up.
“Hold your daughter.”
His eyes widened.
Adrian gently placed Hope into his arms.
Hope touched Marcus’s face.
He began to cry.
Khloe watched quietly.
Then Marcus whispered, “Does this mean there’s still a chance?”
Khloe looked toward the street.
“It means you’re her father.”
“And us?”
May you like
She met his eyes.
“That depends on what you do next.”
