Six months later, the bright summer sunlight streamed through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows of the county courthouse. Julian sat at the mahogany defense table, wearing a crisp dark suit, while Clara sat right beside him in a beautiful blue dress.
Judge Harris: "Order in the court. We are ready to deliver the final sentencing in the state versus Evelyn Vance."
Across the room, Evelyn stood next to her public defender. She wore a orange orange prison jumpsuit, her hair unwashed and her face pale without any makeup.
Evelyn: "Your Honor, I beg for leniency! I was suffering from severe postpartum stress!"
Judge Harris: "Mrs. Vance, the medical experts have confirmed you were never pregnant. You orchestrated a massive surrogacy fraud and attempted to murder an infant on video."
Evelyn: "It was an accident! I lost my balance!"
Judge Harris: "The security footage clearly shows you throwing the child over the railing. Your actions were cold, calculated, and monstrous."
Evelyn turned her head toward the gallery, glaring directly at Clara, who was sitting proudly with little Leo resting comfortably in a baby carrier beside her seat.
Evelyn: "You stole my life, Clara! You took my husband and my home!"
Clara: "You gave up your life the second you tried to hurt this baby."
Judge Harris: "Silence in the courtroom! For the charges of attempted second-degree murder, child endangerment, and grand fraud, I sentence you to twenty-five years in state prison without the possibility of parole."
Evelyn let out a loud gasp as the bailiff grabbed her arms and placed metal cuffs back around her wrists.
Evelyn: "No! You can't do this to me! Julian, help me!"
Julian: "Justice is finally served, Evelyn. Goodbye."
The guards led Evelyn through the heavy rear door of the courtroom, her desperate screams slowly fading down the long hallway until the thick doors snapped shut.
Clara: "It's finally over."
Julian: "It really is. Now we can go home."
Julian reached over and picked up the baby carrier, smiling down at little Leo, who was giggling and reaching his small hands up toward the light. Clara smiled back, placing her hand gently over Julian's arm as they walked out into the warm afternoon sun together.
Clara: "He has your smile, you know."
Julian: "And he has his mother's heart."