Chapter 19 - THE COURTROOM
The day of the sentencing was cold and clear.
I wore a tailored black suit.
I wanted to look strong.
Unbreakable.
The courtroom was packed.
Reporters filled the back rows.
Sarah and three other victims sat in the front row, holding hands for support.
When the bailiff called for the defendants to enter, the room fell dead silent.
Ethan walked in wearing an orange jumpsuit.
His hands and ankles were shackled.
He looked older.
The charming, charismatic man I had married was gone.
His hair was thinning, his face drawn and pale.
Marcus followed him, walking with a slight limp from the gunshot wound.
Claire was brought in last.
She couldn't even look up from the floor.
The judge read the charges.
Count after count of fraud, conspiracy, and theft.
Ethan stood before the judge and said the word "Guilty" over and over again.
It sounded hollow.
Finally, the judge looked toward the prosecution table.
"Does the victim wish to address the court?"
I stood up.
I walked slowly to the podium.
I unfolded the single piece of paper I had prepared.
I looked directly at Ethan.
He tried to look away, but the judge ordered him to face me.
"For eight years, I thought I was married to a man who loved me," I began.
My voice didn't shake.
It rang clear and steady through the quiet room.
"But Ethan Lawson doesn't exist."
"He is a ghost created to steal the lives of women he deemed vulnerable."
"He thought I was weak."
"He thought because I trusted him, I was stupid."
I looked at Claire.
"He used the people I loved against me."
"He turned my own sister into a weapon."
Claire let out a quiet sob.
I turned my attention back to Ethan.
"You planned to take my money."
"You planned to destroy my mind."
"You planned to steal my son."
"But you made one critical mistake."
Ethan stared at me, his eyes dark and empty.
"You underestimated me."
"You thought because I am kind, I am weak."
"But kindness is not weakness."
"When you threatened my child, you woke up a mother who would burn the world down to protect him."
"And I did."
"I burned your empire to the ground."
I folded the paper and looked at the judge.
"I ask the court to impose the maximum sentence."
"Not just for me."
"But for Sarah, for Rachel, for Michelle."
"For all the women he tried to erase."
The judge nodded solemnly.
"Thank you, Mrs. Lawson."
I walked back to my seat.
Sarah squeezed my hand tightly.
The judge slammed his gavel.
May you like
Twenty-five years.
It was over.
