Lost Heart–2
The testimonies came one after another. Hawthorne detailed how Kane had infiltrated the police department with forged transfer documents, how he’d used his position to get close to me, how he’d planned my murder. Several officers confirmed the document forgery details, while Roman briefly described Kane’s friendship with both Iris and me.
When Iris testified, her voice trembled slightly as she talked about the role Kane played in my life and how we never suspected anything. She described every detail of the day we were kidnapped.
The trial paused briefly after the testimonies. When the judge returned, the air pressure
in the room seemed to change.
“Given that the defendant has pleaded guilty and admitted to all charges, this court pronounces the following sentence,” she said. “Kane Kincaid, for the crime of impersonating a law enforcement officer, three years imprisonment; for the crime of kidnapping, four years imprisonment; for the crime of attempted murder, fifteen years imprisonment; all sentences to be served concurrently, totaling twenty–two years. Additionally, the sentence includes permanent revocation of his Alpha inheritance rights and a ban on holding leadership in any Pack. The defendant may apply for parole but must accept supervised monitoring and Pack boundary restrictions. Case closed. May the Moon Goddess guide the path of justice.”
The sound of the gavel striking down stirred something in my heart. Twenty–two years.
That was quite a long time.
The crowd began to rise and leave, and I stood quietly, preparing to slip out without being noticed. In my final glance, I saw Kane being led away in special silver handcuffs. As he looked up, our eyes met for a brief moment, but I immediately turned and quickly walked away. I rushed outside, a tear sliding down my cheek. Honestly, I didn’t know how to feel.
“I could smell you from a block away, Thea.” A familiar voice behind me stopped me in my
tracks.
I turned to see Sebastian standing a few steps away, staring at me with furrowed brows. I took off my sunglasses, wiping away tears that had fallen without me noticing.
“I didn’t know you had such a keen sense of smell,” I managed to reply, my voice shaking.
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Lost Heart–2
He stepped forward and gently removed my hat. “I’ve always been able to find you, even when you’re hiding in a crowd.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that. Sebastian reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, wiped the tears from my face, and then unexpectedly pulled me into his arms, resting his chin lightly on top of my head.
“You’ll get through this,” he said softly. “You’re stronger than you think. In fact, you’re the strongest woman I know. After everything you’ve been through, you’re still standing here, more determined than before.” His warmth and scent surrounded me, surprisingly giving me a sense of security.
I didn’t pull away, allowing myself to cry in his embrace for a moment. Then, as the crowd’s voices grew closer, I gently pushed him away. “I should go,” I said. “I don’t want to be seen here.”
He looked at me for a moment, then nodded: “I’ll drive you. You shouldn’t be driving.
alone in this state.”
This time, I didn’t argue with him. I just handed him my keys.
As we walked toward the parking lot, I saw Kane being put into a police car, his gaze searching for something. I lowered my head, forcing myself not to look at him.
As I sat in the car, I silently said goodbye to him, and to that briefly blossoming love, as fleeting as a night–blooming cereus, that had given me hope for rebirth but ultimately proved to be nothing but lies. I said goodbye to Kane, and also to the part of myself that had been so desperate for love that I’d been blind to everything else.
Chapter Comments
Visitor
If served concurrently then that would be 15 yrs. Consecutively would be 22 yrs.
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