Chapter 8 - The Aftermath
The fallout was absolute. Chloe's trial was a media sensation, dubbed "The Black Widow of Wall Street." The mountain of evidence David provided ensured a swift conviction. She was sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison.
But David didn't care about the news. He had stepped down as CEO of his company, handing the reins to his trusted board of directors. He had only one mission left in his life: to earn forgiveness from the woman he had broken.
He visited the estate every single day.
At first, Clara wouldn't let him past the front porch. He would sit on the steps for hours, bringing groceries, baby supplies, and quiet apologies. He didn't push. He didn't demand rights to the children. He just showed up, day after day, proving that he would never walk away again.
Slowly, the ice began to thaw.
When the twins were six months old, Clara finally unlocked the screen door and let him into the living room. Leo had a fever, and Clara was exhausted from being awake for three straight days.
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David didn't say a word. He took off his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and took the crying baby from her arms. He paced the floor for six hours, singing softly, until Leo finally broke the fever and fell asleep against his chest.
When David looked up, Clara was watching him from the doorway, her eyes softer than they had been in a year.
