Chapter 9 - The Verdict and the Final Blow
The jury deliberated for less than four hours.
On a rainy Friday evening, the judge called the courtroom back to order as the foreperson stood up to read the verdicts.
"On the charge of attempted first-degree murder of Mabel Vance, how do you find the defendant, Flynn Vance?"
"Guilty," the foreperson stated clearly.
"On the charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and involuntary manslaughter of unborn fetuses, how do you find the defendant, Selina Cole?"
"Guilty on all counts."
A collective gasp rippled through the gallery.
Selina froze, her mouth parting in disbelief before her face twisted into a mask of pure rage. She stood up abruptly, screaming obscenities at the jury before four bailiffs swarmed her, pinning her arms behind her back and dragging her out through the side doors.
Flynn didn't scream. He simply bowed his head, his hands resting limply on the defense table as the metal handcuffs clicked around his wrists.
He was sentenced to twenty-five years without the possibility of parole for ten years. Selina received eighteen years for her role in the conspiracy and financial embezzlement.
As the bailiffs led Flynn away toward the holding cells, he managed to look back over his shoulder one last time.
"Mabel..." he whispered, his lips trembling. "Please... forgive me."
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I didn't blink. I didn't flinch. I simply turned my gaze away, watching the rain streak down the massive courthouse windows.
The trial was over. The empire was dismantled. The man who had once been my entire world was now nothing more than a prisoner in a orange jumpsuit.
