Chapter 15 - THE AFTERMATH
Three weeks later.
The afternoon sun streamed through the wide glass windows of a bright, modern apartment overlooking the city park.
Elena sat on the plush sofa, watching Lily color in a drawing book on the coffee table.
The child’s skin had regained its healthy color.
Her laughter echoed softly through the living room.
The doorbell chimed.
Elena walked over and opened the door.
Marcus Kane stood on the mat, holding a thick leather folder under his arm.
"May I come in?" Marcus asked with a rare, faint smile.
"Always," Elena said, stepping aside.
Marcus sat at the dining table and opened the folder, spreading several legal documents across the wood.
"The final court decree was signed an hour ago," Marcus announced.
"You have been granted full, sole legal and physical custody of Lily."
"Her name has been legally changed to Lily Miller."
Elena covered her mouth with both hands, tears of overwhelming relief filling her eyes.
"And Victoria?" Elena asked, her voice trembling.
"Victoria Vance was denied bail," Marcus replied coldly.
"She is facing thirty-five counts of federal racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal adoption fraud."
"She will spend the rest of her life in a maximum-security federal prison."
"What about Julian?"
Marcus sighed, leaning back in his chair.
"Julian accepted a plea bargain."
"He testified against his mother in exchange for a reduced sentence of five years."
"He surrendered all claims to the family fortune and signed away all parental rights to Lily."
"He left a letter for you."
Marcus pulled a sealed white envelope from the folder and placed it on the table.
Elena looked at the envelope for a long moment.
Then she took it, walked over to the kitchen trash can, and tore it into tiny pieces without opening it.
"He made his choice three weeks ago in that ballroom," Elena said softly.
"I don't need his apologies."
Marcus nodded in approval.
"There is one more thing," Marcus said, pulling a smaller blue document from his folder.
"The Vance estate was liquidated by the federal government to pay off their victims."
"The court awarded you a settlement of forty million dollars."
Elena blinked in total disbelief.
"Forty million?"
May you like
"It’s yours, Elena," Marcus said gently.
"You and Lily will never have to fear anyone ever again."
