Chapter 18 - The Final Settlement
The police response was overwhelming and instantaneous.
Within minutes, the heavy steel security shutters rolled back up, and heavily armed officers flooded into my home.
Because Damon was officially out on bail for a felony, breaking into a residence and attempting kidnapping was an automatic revocation of all his legal rights.
I stood on the front lawn, wrapped in a warm blanket, watching as officers dragged Damon out the front door in heavy iron shackles.
He didn't even look at me. His spirit was entirely broken, his eyes staring blankly at the wet grass.
Claire was escorted out next, screaming and fighting the female officers until they were forced to put her in the back of a heavily reinforced transport van.
My lawyer, Sarah, arrived thirty minutes later, stepping carefully through the crime scene tape in her expensive heels.
"I received the audio files Liam sent over," Sarah said, shaking her head in sheer disbelief. "The district attorney is throwing the book at them. Damon is facing a minimum of twenty-five years without the possibility of parole. Claire is looking at fifteen."
I let out a long, shuddering breath, feeling a massive weight finally lift off my shoulders.
"What about Owen?" I asked, looking back at the house that had once been my absolute sanctuary.
"Owen's plea deal was contingent on his testimony being credible," Sarah smiled sharply. "Now that Damon has committed another massive felony, the judge is completely throwing out Owen's affidavit. Owen will serve his full attempted murder sentence."
The board was finally wiped clean. All the dark, venomous pieces that had threatened to destroy my life were permanently locked away.
Liam walked down the driveway, handing me a fresh cup of tea.
"My team is doing a final sweep, but the property is officially secure," Liam said gently. "You're safe now, Maya. Truly safe."
I looked up at the stars twinkling over the dark ocean. For the first time in an entire year, my mind was perfectly quiet.
"I don't want to live in this house anymore," I realized out loud, turning to look at Sarah and Liam.
"It holds too many ghosts," I continued. "I want to sell it. I want to take Lily and disappear completely."
May you like
Sarah nodded immediately. "I can have the property listed by tomorrow morning. With your settlement and the sale of this house, you can go absolutely anywhere in the world."
I smiled, the thought of a brand new horizon filling me with incredible warmth.
