Chapter 16 - Paper Trail of Cruelty
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Over the next three weeks, my physical recovery progressed rapidly.
The severe burns on my chest and neck required specialized skin graft treatment and intensive physical therapy to prevent the scar tissue from tightening. The physical pain was excruciating, but every time the nurses changed my dressings, I reminded myself that every sting was a step toward freedom.
Rebecca stayed by my side every single day. She rented a small, furnished two-bedroom apartment three blocks from the hospital, preparing a safe haven for my release.
One afternoon, ADA Sterling visited us at the apartment with a final update on the criminal trial proceedings.
“Luke’s defense team tried to offer a plea deal yesterday,” ADA Sterling announced, taking a seat at our kitchen table.
“What kind of deal?” Rebecca asked defensively.
“They offered a guilty plea to second-degree assault in exchange for dropping the premeditated attempted murder charges and dismissing the charges against Evelyn,” ADA Sterling replied.
I looked ADA Sterling dead in the eye. “What did you tell them?”
ADA Sterling smiled—a cold, fierce, brilliant smile.
“I told them to go to hell,” ADA Sterling said flatly. “We have forensic burn trajectory evidence, digital recovery of forged identities, intercepted medical records, and expert testimony from two top geneticists. We are taking this to a jury trial, Caroline. We are going to ensure Luke Ellis spends the next twenty-five years behind bars.”
Relief washed over me like a warm breeze.
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“And Evelyn?” I asked.
“Evelyn has been indicted as an accessory to felony domestic assault and evidence tampering,” ADA Sterling confirmed. “She is facing up to eight years in state prison.”
