Chapter 57
The judge's voice echoed through the courtroom,cold and final:"Based on all the evidence presented. I sentence Bella Blake and Kate Blake to life imprisonment for multiple charges. including manslaughter." The gavel struck,punctuating the silence that followed.
"All rise!" the court clerk called, signaling the end of the trial.
Everyone stood as the judge departed, leaving behind the weight of justice.Lilly's chest tightened as the finality of the verdict settled in. She had done it-she had succeeded in bringing them to justice,and the truth was now laid bare for the world to see. But as she watched Bella and Kate being led out through the back door, a sudden chill gripped her. Bella's smirk lingered in her mnind like a shadow, and something in that twisted smile set her heart racing with unease.
Alexander,standing close by,noticed the change in her demeanor. "What's wrong?"he asked,his voice laced with concern.
Lilly forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Nothing, Just... relieved.Now my sisters and mother can rest in peace."
Alexander studied her closely, his sharp gaze sensing the depth of her unrest. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words died on his tongue as he chose not to press further, respecting her silence. Peter nodded, tears welling in his eyes. "I know everything, Lilly.Everything that happened... it's my fault. I destroyed our family. I lost your mother because of my betrayal, and now... I've lost my daughters.I'm ready to accept whatever punishment you think I deserve. Please, just...forgive me." her name, halting her steps. She froze, dread crawling up her spine as she turned to see Peter approaching.
Her frown deepened.
"We can leave if you don't want to talk to him," Alexandler offered,his voice quiet but firm.
Lilly hesitated for only a moment before answering, her voice low and steady. "I can't keep avoiding him forever. We need to have this conversation.”
Alexander nodded, his expression softening. “Do you want to speak with him privately?"
Lilly gave a brief nod, and with a reassuring kiss on her forehead,Alexander walked toward the car, leaving them alone.
Peter reached her, his face drawn and weary, as if the last few weeks had aged him years. He stood before her, his shoulders slumped under the weight of his remorse. "I'm sorry... please," he whispered,his voice cracking with guilt.
Lilly looked at him, fury and disbelief mixing with the sorrow in her heart."You're sorry?" she repeated, her voice trembling with emotion. His words, though heavy with regret, only fueled the anger burning within her."Why are you only realizing now how much you've ruined everything? Why?!" Lilly's voice cracked as the tears began to fall.
The onlookers outside the courthouse turned, sensing the tension in the air.Alexander, who had been watching from a distance, rushed over the moment he saw the tears in Lilly's eyes. His eyes locked on Peter with a fierce,protective glare, but he said nothing, focusing only on Lilly as he wiped her tears away.
“Do you want to leave now?" Alexander asked, his voice gentle but insistent.
Lilly nodded, her voice breaking. “Please take me away.”
Alexander didn't need to hear more. He pulled her into his arms, offering what little comfort he could. “Shh, it's okay. We're leaving now,"he murmured,guiding her to the car, his presence a steadying force.
Peter stood frozen, tears streaming down his face as he watched the car drive away. His heart clenched with the realization that it had taken him losing everything to understand the depth of his failure. His eyes lingered on the car, filled with regret, as he whispered to himself, "I won't stop seeking your forgiveness."
In the car, Lilly stared out the window, lost in her thoughts. She could feel Alexander's gaze on her, soft but unwavering. He placed his hand over hers,a simple gesture that brought a sense of peace she desperately needed.
"It's all over now," Alexander said quietly. Lilly nodded, though her heart was still heavy. "It's over." He moved closer, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead.
"Thinking about your father?"
Lilly's eyesclosed briefly as the emotions swirled within her.∘YesHe's so selfish."
"You were disappointed in him. I saw it in your eyes," Alexander said,his voice low and understanding.
She nodded again, feeling the weight of betrayal and disillusionment.“I just want this period to pass."
"It will," Alexander reassured her, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face."I'll make sure it does. So you can focus on our new family... on me,and our unborn child."
A week later, on the anniversary of her sisters' deaths, Lilly stood before her mirror, dressed in all black-gown, shoes,gloves,and a veil draped over her head. The weight of the day pressed heavily on her shoulders,but there was a strange comfort in the routine of honoring them.
She took the elevator down to the sitting room, where Alexander was reading the newspaper. His smile, warm and sincere, made her heart flutter despite the heaviness in her chest. The simple act of seeing him made everything feel more bearable.
“You look beautiful," he said, standing as she entered the room.His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a gentle kiss. “Even in all black.”
Lilly blushed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you." Alexander cupped her cheek with his hand,his thumb brushing over her skin tenderly, "Where do you want to go first?The grave...or the prison?" Lilly hesitated, her mind weighing both options. "The prison first. I need to say my final piece."
Alexander studied her for a moment, as if sensing the weight of her decision. Then he nodded, a quiet understanding between them.“I'll be there with you."
They left for the women's prison, a journey of three hours that allowed Lilly time to settle her thoughts. When they arrived, the strict security measures gave her a sense of uneasy relief. The thought of Bella and Kate escaping haunted her nightmares, but seeing the prison's tight security calmed her. Alexander's own efforts to ensure their confinement brought her a measure of peace.
They were led into a VIP visitors' room, and though Lilly felt exhausted,she refused to let herself falter. She couldn't afford to.
Thirty minutes later, the door opened. Two female officers entered.escorting Bella and Kate-both in prison uniforms, disheveled and defeated. yet something in their eyes remained defiant.
Lilly's pulse quickened, a flood of emotions surging within her. Anger,sadness, and an odd sense of pity all collided in her chest. She had prepared herself for this moment, but nothing could have prepared her for seeing them so broken yet still capable of defiance.
As they took their seats across from Lilly and Alexander, Bella's eyes remained sharp, filled with a quiet rage, while Kate seemed resigned to her fate. Her once-strong spirit had crumbled. Lilly exhaled, steadying herself before speaking."I needed to see you both one last time," she began, her voice shaky but determined. "To understand why you did what you did... and to tell you that, despite everything,I hope you find some form of redemption here."