Chapter 16 - A Visitor in the Dark
Two weeks before the final sentencing, I received an unexpected request. Travis had waived his right to a trial, agreeing to plead guilty to all state and federal charges in exchange for a transfer to a lower-security facility. But his plea deal had one single condition: he begged for a ten-minute meeting with me.
My father advised against it. Marcus offered to handle it for me. But I wanted to look into his eyes one last time—not out of anger, but to ensure that the ghost of Travis Montgomery was permanently buried.
I walked into the visitor room of the federal detention center. The room was stark, cold, and quiet. Travis was brought in wearing heavy chains around his ankles and wrists. He was thin, hollowed out, with dark shadows permanently etched under his sunken eyes.
He sat down, the chains clinking loudly against the metal chair. For a long minute, neither of us said a word.
"Sarah," he whispered, his voice dry and crackling like dead leaves. "Thank you for coming."
"You have five minutes, Travis," I said coldly, keeping my posture rigid. "Say what you need to say."
Travis looked down at his chained hands, tears leaking down his hollow cheeks. "I know there is no forgiveness for what I did. I know I deserve to rot in this place for the rest of my life. But I need to know... just once... are the boys... are Leo and Arthur okay?"
I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a single photograph. I placed it against the clear glass divider.
In the photo, two beautiful, healthy six-month-old boys were laughing in a sunlit garden, their bright blue eyes sparkling with complete innocence and life.
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Travis gasped, clutching his chest as he stared at the image of his sons—sons he would never hold, never teach to ride a bike, never watch grow up. He pressed his shaking forehead against the glass, sobbing uncontrollably.
"They are thriving," I said softly, my voice devoid of any warmth. "They are safe, loved, and protected. And they will grow up knowing that their mother survived a family of monsters to give them everything."
