Chapter 20 - THE FIRST BREATH
The heavy wooden doors of the courthouse swung open.
The cold winter air hit my face.
It tasted like freedom.
Cameras flashed.
Reporters shouted questions from the bottom of the steps.
"Emma! How do you feel?"
"What's next for you?"
I didn't answer them.
I just smiled, pulled my coat tighter, and walked to my car.
My father was waiting for me in the driver's seat.
Noah was strapped into his car seat in the back.
"Mommy!" he cheered when I opened the door.
"Did you finish your boring meeting?"
I laughed, a genuine, joyful sound.
"Yes, baby."
"The boring meeting is all done."
I climbed into the passenger seat and shut the door.
The noise of the reporters was muffled instantly.
Dad put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb.
"Where to?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
I looked out the window at the passing city.
The buildings looked brighter.
The sky looked bluer.
The shadow that had been hanging over my life for the past year was completely gone.
"Let's go home," I said.
We drove back to the house.
My house.
The fraudulent mortgage had been erased.
The deed was safely in my name alone.
The shell company, River Stone, had been liquidated by the federal government.
I walked through the front door and took a deep breath.
The house didn't feel like a crime scene anymore.
It felt like a sanctuary.
I walked into the kitchen and poured a glass of wine.
I watched through the window as Noah ran around the backyard, chasing our neighbor's golden retriever.
He was safe.
He was happy.
He would never know the man who had tried to steal him away.
Later that evening, after Noah was asleep, I sat in the living room.
I opened my laptop and checked my email.
There was a message from Sarah.
"Just wanted to say how proud I am of you. We are starting a support group for victims of financial abuse next month. Would you come speak?"
I smiled and typed my reply.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
I closed the laptop.
I thought about the silver bracelet I had intended to give Claire on her birthday.
The gift that had started this entire nightmare.
I had thrown it into the river weeks ago.
I didn't need the past weighing me down anymore.
I walked upstairs to check on Noah one last time.
He was clutching his favorite stuffed bear, breathing softly.
I pulled the blanket up to his chin and kissed his forehead.
"I've got you," I whispered.
"I'll always have you."
I turned off the light and walked into my own bedroom.
I climbed into bed, surrounded by the quiet peace of my home.
I didn't need any medication to sleep tonight.
I closed my eyes.
May you like
And for the first time in eight years...
I slept without dreaming of monsters.
