Chapter 362

The courtroom seemed to shrink around me as Mia took the stand, her presence looming like a dark cloud over the proceedings. I watched her with a mixture of apprehension and anger, the weight of her deceit heavy in the air. Despite Scarlett's compelling testimony, I couldn't shake the gnawing sense of doubt that gnawed at my insides. Would Mia's twisted version of events sway the jury? Would justice be served, or would Timothy's fate hang in the balance?

Mia's voice sliced through the tense silence, each word a calculated weapon in her arsenal of manipulation. "Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury," she began, her tone smooth as silk, "I stand before you today to shed light on the events that led to this tragic outcome."

I clenched my fists in frustration, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my emotions in check. Scarlett's testimony had resonated with them, but Mia's cunning had the power to sway even the most steadfast of hearts.

As Mia delved into the sordid details of her affair with Kamran and her motives for wanting Stella out of the picture, I felt a surge of anger boil within me. How dare she stand there and spew her lies, knowing full well the pain and suffering she had caused? My chest tightened with the weight of my rage, a fiery inferno threatening to consume me whole.

But when Mr. Waters rose to cross-examine Mia, I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I awaited his response. "Miss Mia," he began, his voice measured yet firm, "you claim to have committed these heinous acts out of desperation. But can you truly expect this court to believe that you acted out of anything other than malice?"

Mia's lips curled into a sneer, her eyes flashing with defiance as she met Mr. Waters' gaze head-on. "I did what I had to do to protect myself and my interests," she retorted, her voice dripping with venom. "If that makes me a villain in your eyes, then so be it."

My frustration reached a boiling point as I watched Mr. Waters' ineffectual line of questioning, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. How could he be so blind, so oblivious to the truth staring him right in the face? Didn't he see through Mia's facade, her carefully crafted lies designed to deceive and manipulate?

But Mia's patience wore thin, her mask slipping as she lashed out at Mr. Waters with a ferocity that caught us all off guard. "I did it," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "I did all of those things, and I would do them again in a heartbeat. I have nothing left to lose, not even my own daughter."

The courtroom fell into stunned silence at her admission, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. I felt the eyes of the jury turn towards me, their scrutiny a palpable force that threatened to suffocate me.

Fortunately, Mia went on, her voice echoing throughout the courtroom. "I did it all for the money," she declared, her tone devoid of remorse. "I needed it to survive."

I felt a chill run down my spine at her admission, a sickening realization settling over me like a heavy shroud. How could she stand there and admit to her crimes so callously, as if they were nothing more than a means to an end?

But my mother showed no signs of remorse, her eyes cold and calculating as she addressed the court. "I don't feel guilty for what I've done," she continued, her voice tinged with arrogance. "There's no point in apologizing for trying to look out for myself."

A murmur rippled through the crowd at her words, a mixture of disbelief and outrage echoing through the chamber. How could she be so brazen, so unapologetic?

But Mia's confession didn't end there, her words sending a shiver down my spine as she spoke of her hopes for her daughter. "I only hope," she said, her voice dripping with contempt, "that my daughter can take a page or two out of my book and look out for herself as well."

The courtroom fell into stunned silence at her callous remark, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. I felt a surge of anger at first, but that was strangely followed by relief. In her arrogance, Mia had sealed her own fate, her words serving as a damning indictment of her guilt.

The courtroom seemed to hold its breath as Mia's confession hung in the air, her admission of guilt sending shockwaves rippling through the assembled crowd. I sat frozen in place, my mind reeling with disbelief at the turn of events.

Aria's hand found mine, her touch a lifeline in the sea of chaos that surrounded us. "Evie," she whispered, her voice a soothing balm against the storm raging within me, "it's over."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I looked at Aria. “It had better be.”

Aria squeezed my hand gently, her expression compassionate.

The judge's voice cut through the tension like a knife, his words echoing through the chamber with a sense of finality. "Given the evidence presented and the defendant's admission of guilt," he declared, his voice unwavering, "I have no choice but to find Mia Robins guilty of all charges."

A murmur rippled through the crowd at the judge's pronouncement, a mixture of shock and relief washing over us all. Mia's reign of terror had finally come to an end, her crimes laid bare for all to see.

But the judge wasn't finished yet, his gaze sweeping over the courtroom with a sense of solemnity. "And in light of this verdict," he continued, his voice carrying the weight of authority, "I hereby declare that Timothy Hayes is innocent of all charges."

The words hung in the air like a benediction, a testament to the power of truth and justice in the face of adversity. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders, a sense of liberation coursing through my veins as the realization sank in: Timothy was free.

The courtroom erupted into applause, the sound a symphony of triumph and vindication. Tears of joy streamed down my cheeks as I watched Timothy, his expression one of disbelief and gratitude as he embraced his newfound freedom.

I found myself unable to contain the overwhelming surge of relief and gratitude that coursed through me. With Mia's confession and Timothy's exoneration, a heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders, leaving behind a sense of liberation I had not felt in far too long.

I hurried through the crowd, my heart racing with anticipation as I searched for Timothy. And then, I saw him—standing tall and proud amidst the throng of reporters and well-wishers, a smile lighting up his face as he caught sight of me.

"Evie!" he called out, his voice filled with warmth and affection as he opened his arms to me. Without hesitation, I ran to him, my heart soaring as I threw myself into his embrace. In that moment, surrounded by the chaos of the courthouse, it felt as though time stood still, and all that mattered was the two of us, together at last.

"It's over," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion as I buried my face in his chest. "You're free."

Timothy held me close, nuzzling into my hair. "It's all thanks to you," he murmured, his voice soft and tender. "Having my good luck charm by my side made all the difference."

I pulled back slightly, my eyes meeting his as a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "You know, it feels like things have come full circle," I remarked. "Your first trial brought us together, and now, here we are, stronger than ever."

Timothy's smile widened, his gaze filled with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he said, his voice husky with emotion. And then, before I could respond, he leaned in and captured my lips in a tender kiss.

The world seemed to fade away as our lips met, the warmth of his touch sending a jolt of electricity coursing through me. And then, as if on cue, the paparazzi's cameras began to flash, their eager clicks echoing through the air as they captured the moment for posterity.

I couldn't help but laugh as we broke apart, the sound echoing through the crowded room like music to my ears.

Perhaps we really were free at last.