Chapter 20 - The Aftermath
The victory party at Blackthorn Manor was quiet but profoundly joyous.
The kitchen staff baked three different cakes. The women played music in the grand hall. Maya sat in a corner, laughing freely for the first time in a decade, holding a cup of hot tea.
Evelyn stood on the balcony, looking out over the expansive gardens. The stars were brilliant against the velvet black sky.
Julian stepped out onto the balcony, handing her a glass of sparkling cider.
"You did good, Carter," he said softly, leaning against the stone railing.
"We did good, Sterling," Evelyn corrected him, clinking her glass against his.
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"Thorne is looking at twenty years to life," Julian said. "His assets are being frozen and distributed to his victims. Maya is going to receive a settlement large enough to start over anywhere in the world."
Evelyn looked at the stars. "She already started over. The money is just to make sure she never has to look back."
