Three months later, the sun shone brightly over the Los Angeles County Superior Courthouse. Reporters and television cameras lined the granite steps as Victoria walked up the entrance alongside her legal team, holding Lily’s hand.
Lily wore a beautiful new yellow dress with white shoes, walking completely normally without any limp, her legs fully healed with only tiny, barely visible scars.
Reporter: Miss Sterling! Is it true that Julian Sterling is accepting a full plea deal today?
Victoria: My legal team has no comment before the judge enters the courtroom. Thank you.
Inside the grand, wood-paneled courtroom, Julian sat at the defense table wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, his wrists restrained in handcuffs. His hair was messy, his face pale and sunken compared to his former arrogant appearance.
Bailiff: All rise for the Honorable Judge Patricia Vance.
The entire courtroom stood as the judge took her seat at the bench, reviewing the thick legal dossier in front of her.
Judge Vance: We are here today for the sentencing of Julian Sterling regarding charges of felony child abuse, grand larceny, and corporate fraud. District Attorney, state the terms of the negotiated plea agreement.
District Attorney: Your Honor, in exchange for a full confession and the immediate return of all twelve million dollars in stolen bearer bonds, the state recommends a sentence of ten years in state prison without eligibility for early parole.
Judge Vance: Defense counsel, does your client understand and accept these terms?
Defense Lawyer: Yes, Your Honor. My client understands that the overwhelming video evidence and digital records leave no defense.
Judge Vance: Mr. Sterling, before I hand down this sentence, do you have anything to say to this court?
Julian stood up slowly, his eyes darting toward Victoria and Lily sitting in the front row of the gallery. His voice trembled as he spoke into the microphone.
Julian: I... I let greed control me, Your Honor. I was desperate to cover my financial losses, and I made a terrible, unforgivable mistake. I am truly sorry for hurting my niece...
Victoria: You're only sorry you got caught on video, Julian.
Judge Vance: Order in the court! Mr. Sterling, throwing a seven-year-old child into glass to cover up a corporate crime is one of the most cowardly acts I have seen on this bench in twenty years. The court fully accepts the state's recommendation.
Judge Vance brought the heavy wooden gavel down with a sharp, decisive crack that echoed through the room.
Judge Vance: You are hereby sentenced to ten years in state prison. Remand the defendant into custody immediately.
Julian bowed his head as two county deputies grabbed his arms, escorting him through the side door leading to the holding cells. He didn't look back at his family a single time as the door clicked locked behind him.
Maya: It's officially over, Victoria. He’s going away for ten years.
Victoria: It was over the moment he put his hands on my daughter, Maya. Now we can finally live our lives in peace.