Judge: Order in the court. We are here today for the preliminary hearing in the state versus Alexis Vance, as well as the civil probate dispute regarding the Sterling Family Trust.
Six months had passed since that horrifying night at the estate. Maya sat comfortably in the front row of the courtroom, holding her healthy two-month-old baby boy, Noah, wrapped in a blue blanket. Julian sat beside her, his arm wrapped firmly around her shoulders.
Across the room, Alexis sat in an orange jumpsuit, her blonde hair dull and unstyled, her wrists shackled to her waist belt. Beside her, Eleanor looked ten years older, her luxury designer suits replaced by plain clothes, her face drawn and tired.
Prosecutor: Your Honor, the state presents exhibit A: the uninterrupted cloud recording captured directly from the victim's mobile device, along with the corroborating live-stream file saved on Mr. Sterling's device.
Judge: I have reviewed the footage in chambers, Counsel. The actions depicted on that video are appalling. The prosecution has established a clear, indisputable case of deliberate violence against a pregnant woman.
Defense Attorney: Your Honor, my client is prepared to offer a full guilty plea to assault charges in exchange for dropping the attempted murder charge and reducing her sentence—
Prosecutor: The state refuses any plea bargain that does not include substantial state prison time, Your Honor. The defendant showed zero remorse and attempted to destroy evidence at the scene.
Judge: The state's position is completely justified. Defendant Alexis Vance, step forward.
Alexis stood up, her chains rattling loudly in the quiet courtroom. Her eyes darted toward Julian and Maya, filled with a mixture of rage and desperation.
Alexis: Your Honor, please! I was under immense emotional stress! My mother and I were being cut out of the family inheritance!
Judge: Financial disputes do not give you the right to throw a pregnant human being down a staircase, Miss Vance. Your complete lack of empathy is chilling.
Alexis: It was a mistake! I didn't mean to hurt the baby!
Judge: You are hereby sentenced to twelve years in state prison, with no eligibility for parole for the first eight years. Furthermore, a permanent restraining order is issued prohibiting you from coming within one thousand yards of Maya Sterling or her child.
Alexis collapsed back into her chair, sobbing uncontrollably as the court guards grabbed her arms to lead her away.
Eleanor: Alexis! Oh god, my baby!
Judge: As for the probate matter, Mrs. Eleanor Vance, the court finds clear evidence of fraud and breach of duty. You are officially removed as a beneficiary of the Sterling trust. All estate assets revert entirely to Julian Sterling and his heir, Noah Sterling.
Eleanor: You're leaving me with nothing?! I was his wife for seven years!
Judge: You were a trustee who allowed a violent crime to occur on estate property to protect your financial interests. You are lucky the district attorney chose not to press criminal conspiracy charges against you today. Court is adjourned.