Page 103 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
“In that case, I will proceed with a verdict,” the judge says. “Will the defendants please rise?”
Slowly, Mom and Crystal stand up.
I can’t see their faces, but I can certainly feel the dread coming off them in icy, cold waves. The attorneys stand as well, and it seems the entire courtroom holds its collective breath as Judge Isles looks down at my mother and sister.
“For the charges listed, I find the defendants guilty beyond any reasonable doubt,” he declares. Almost instantly, I hear my mom’s and sister’s lungs deflate with discontent and misery. “Despite your attempts to cooperate with the District Attorney, I am aware that you only did so in the hopes of reducing your sentence. I have seen no remorse for what you have done.
“And you’ve done plenty, Mrs. Baldwin. You stole money from your own company, costing innocent people their jobs. You manipulated assets and the financial market, causing disruptions while lying to the federal authorities on every matter that was brought before you. You then proceeded to manipulate the board of executives and the public opinion, turning themagainst one of your own children, solely for the purpose of covering your own hind.”
My mother fidgets.
“It’s not a pretty picture, Mrs. Baldwin. And going easy on you would only go to besmirch the justice system’s already shaky reputation in matters of white-collar crime. Too many CEO’s have gotten away with their hands clean despite causing billions in prejudices to the country’s economy and damage to innocent, hardworking folks. I plan to make an example out of you.”
“Your Honor,” Mom manages, but Judge Isles raises a hand to silence her.
“I sentence you to ten years in a medium-security prison,” he says. “Your personal assets have been frozen and will be redistributed to Baldwin Enterprises to cover some of the damages you’ve caused. Should they seek to sue you for additional damages, they will be free to do so.”
His words land hard and without mercy.
Again, the child in me is tempted to feel pity for her, but the reality is harsh and indisputable. And frankly, ten years feels like a soft sentence compared to everything she’s done—not just to me, but to my father’s company, his legacy, and the many folks who fell victim as collateral damage to her embezzlement schemes.
“Miss Crystal Baldwin,” Judge Isles shifts his focus to my sister while Mom collapses in her chair, utterly devastated. “I understand you agreed to a deal with the District Attorney’s office in exchange for a reduced sentence.”
Crystal nods once. “Y–yes, sir. Your Honor.”
“And a guilty plea.”
“Yes, Your Honor. On all charges,” she replies.
“I shall honor the agreement and sentence you to two years in a minimum-security facility, with the possibility of parole after six months, provided the parole board is pleased with your rehabilitation efforts,” he says.
“What about my assets?” Crystal eagerly asks.
“As with your mother’s, they will be reverted back to the company.”
“Come on, let’s roll,” Penny says and takes me by the hand.
As soon as we get up, voices erupt in a curious murmur as some people start to notice us. By the time we reach the courtroom doors, Mom and Crystal have turned around and see me. In all my newfound splendor. Heavily pregnant and clad in my sparkling white wedding dress.
Our eyes meet.
“Shit,” I whisper.
Penny pushes through the doors and drags me out. I catch a final glimpse of contempt from my mother and bitterness from my sister, enough to remind me that this whole trial wasn’t meant for their redemption but for their prosecution and punishment.
“I don’t think they regret any of it,” I say to Penny as we rush out of the courthouse and down the steps.
At the bottom, a large, silver SUV awaits us, the driver motioning for us to hurry since he’s in a no parking zone.
“Give them a couple of weeks in prison,” Penny says. “They’ll start to feel the sting of it all once they’re confined to their cells, alone with their thoughts and their conscience. They’re not yet aware of what it’s like to pay for what they’ve done.”
“Man, that was intense,” I say. “They saw us as we were leaving.”
“Good. That means they saw you looking like a queen, headed to your wedding,” Penny laughs. “The universe works in fantastic ways, sometimes.”
“Hold on, I’m just a few weeks away from my due date. I can’t run in these shoes!”
“Ready?” she asks, giving me a brilliant smile.
