Becoming strangers again (Lily and Ryan) novel Chapter 183

Ryan

The courtroom smelled of old paper and polished wood, a place that had seen too many lives shattered and justice—whatever that meant—served in one form or another.

I sat between Lily and my mother, Sarah, my hands clenched together so tightly that my knuckles had turned white. Lily placed her hand over mine, a silent attempt to comfort me, but nothing could ease the anger raging inside me.

This was it. The final hearing. The day I would finally hear the verdict against Maya—the woman who had murdered my father and conspired in the kidnapping of my sons.

I could feel my mother trembling beside me, her grief worn into the fine lines of her face. She had been silent throughout most of these proceedings, but her silence spoke volumes.

The judge, a stern-looking man with silver-rimmed glasses, adjusted his papers before speaking. “This court is now in session for the final hearing in the case of Maya Albright, charged with the murder of Richard Williams and accomplice to the kidnapping of Ethan, Liam and Noah Williams.”

The mention of my sons’ names made me even more angry. My boys. My little boys, who had been dragged into this nightmare because of Maya and her accomplice, Clover. The thought of what could have happened if we hadn’t found them in time twisted my stomach into knots.

Maya sat at the defendant’s table, dressed in a simple gray suit, her hands shackled in front of her. Her face was pale, almost hollowed out from the months she had spent in prison awaiting this day. She looked up for a moment, her eyes meeting mine. I held it. I wanted her to see me. To see the devastation she had caused. But when I expected to see remorse in her expression, I found nothing.

The prosecution lawyer, Mr. Caldwell, stood first. He turned toward the jury, his voice steady, measured. “Ladies and gentlemen, you have heard the evidence, seen the testimonies, and listened to the confessions. Maya Albright has admitted to the premeditated murder of Richard Williams. She has also confessed to conspiring with Clover Maddox in the kidnapping of the defendant’s three minor sons, with the intention of ending their lives. There is no room for doubt here—her guilt has been established. The prosecution rests.”

Maya’s lawyer, a man named Holloway, rose slowly, adjusting his suit jacket. “Your Honor, while my client has indeed pleaded guilty, I ask the court to consider her cooperation with law enforcement after her arrest. She provided critical information regarding Clover Maddox’s whereabouts. I urge the court to take this into account during sentencing.”

I felt my mother’s hand tighten on my arm.

Cooperation? She had only given up Clover after she realized there was no way out. That wasn’t remorse. That was self-preservation.

The judge turned his gaze toward Maya. “Ms. Albright, do you have anything to say before sentencing is delivered?”

For a moment, silence stretched in the courtroom. Then Maya stood, her shackles clinking softly. Her voice, when she spoke, was devoid of emotion. “I have nothing to say.”

Nothing. Not a single apology. Not even a pretense of regret.