Chapter 189

[Evelyn’s POV]

I couldn’t begin to describe how thankful I felt when the judge insisted that Fiona and Isabella be detained while the jury was busy coming to a final verdict.

Alexander had lured me back to the table where he pressed me down into one of the open chairs. Just as well anyway. My mind was filled with too many thoughts and it was becoming increasingly difficult to focus. I felt him lean over to speak to me.

“It’s going to be alright.”

They were going to convict Fiona—that much I was certain of. But what about Isabella? I was willing to admit that what we did was a bit unethical for proper courtroom etiquette. Everyone had been expected to cover solely my case and instead, we presented them with a whole new piece of stifling evidence.

“What if they don’t convict Isabella today too?” I asked quietly.

“They will,” he assured.

God, I wanted to believe him. But the stifling tightness in my chest was too painful to ignore. I guess the biggest thing I was concerned about was that given we’d sprung this new information on everyone so suddenly, the jury was going to insist that we all come back to this at a later date.

I couldn’t stomach the thought of Isabella walking out of this courtroom with any more extended free time on her hands.

“Isabella practically gave her confession just now,” Alexander said.

He had a point. Part of me would never have anticipated that Isabell would have actually told the courtroom her true intentions when it came to the Hemlock. There again, perhaps, in the twisted recesses of her mind, she believed that by being honest it would help swing the jury’s opinion to fall in her favor.

This whole mess felt like it had been dragging on for an eternity. All I wanted was for it all to be over and done with. I wanted to officially move on from the trauma and the constant worrying if someone was going to come after me or the people I loved.

My nerves couldn't take it.

Amidst the uncertainty, my eyes drifted over toward the Alpha King. Gregory, much to my surprise, had remained silent through the majority of the hearing. Even his expression seemed heavily guarded.

Alexander must have picked up on my observation as he leaned in closer.

“He’s calculating,” he said.

My brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

“Gregory is very likely trying to figure out what will be left of his inner circle now that we’re doing away with the two people whom Caroline was considered close to. Plus, my guess is that he’s also trying to figure out what sort of statement he’ll be forced to put out the second this whole ordeal is over.”

Now that made a lot more sense in my mind.

To think, if all went well, Alexander would have essentially helped put away three dangerous people in prison while the King stood by and barely acted. It certainly wasn’t doing anything good for his image. And knowing Alexander, he wasn’t going to waste any opportunity to throw disrespect at the man when he could.

The side door opened and the jury began filing back out. My heart lurched in my chest, reminding me of all the anxiety that had been momentarily repressed. Everyone stood up while the guards brought Isabella and Fiona back out.

They were placed before the main bench while the judge addressed the room.

“In regards to Ms. Fiona Rizza’s case, has the jury reached its verdict?”

“We have, Your Honor. We find Ms. Fiona Rizza guilty on the grounds of attempted murder and unlawful medical practices, as well as being in possession of a deadly weapon.”

From where I stood, I could just barely make out the vicious sneer Fiona wore on her face. Had it not been for the cuffs around her wrists and the two guards that mirrored her sides, she would have likely tried to attack either Alexander or me.

The judge nodded his head in agreement. “Fiona Rizza, you’ve been found guilty on numerous charges. I hereby sentence you to life imprisonment with no chance of parole for the first twenty years,” he declared. “Have you anything to say for yourself?”

Fiona snarled. “Had I known that this was going to be my future, I would have gone ahead and sliced the bitch’s throat.”

I was hardly fazed by her venomous words but Alexander let out a ruthless growl that spiked fear into Fiona’s eyes. The guards tore her away from the room where I was happily certain that I would never have to see her again.

Unfortunately, we weren’t out of the woods yet.

“Has the jury reached its verdict in Mrs. Silverwood's case?”

My heart skipped several beats.

“We have, Your Honor. In spite of the fact that new evidence had been presented to the court, we believe that the only right course of action would be to deliver a verdict of guilty. This verdict stands on account of two counts of attempted murder as well as possession of an illegal substance.”

My mouth fell open as I nearly toppled over my own legs. Oh my god.

Alexander snaked his hand around my own and held me tight as though to anchor me. Isabella shook her head vigorously. Unlike Fiona, she refused to comprehend the repercussions of her actions.

“I don’t understand,” she said. “This is outrageous. How could I possibly be convicted when all I’ve been trying to do was better my family’s pack?”

“It’s not your pack, nor has it ever been your pack,” I said.

Isabella turned her head to glare at me with that same hatred she had when I had been strapped to that demented table.

“You vile, sorry excuse for a Luna,” she snipped. She held her hand to her stomach. “You forget the fact that I’m still carrying the next heir to the Silverwood Family.”

I shook my head. “We told Leonard of your actions, Isabella. You surely expect divorce papers the moment you enter your new cell.”

All the blood had drained from her face.

“You know what’s honestly heartbreaking in all of this? I actually feel bad for your unborn child, knowing that they will be stuck with a psychopath for a mother.”

The judge slammed his gavel down to gain everyone’s attention.

“Isabella Silverwood, I hereby sentence you to life imprisonment. No chance of parole. Does the defendant have anything they’d like to say at this time?”

Isabella sputtered. “This is all a terrible mistake. How could you people possibly believe her over someone of actual standing like me?!”

The judge signaled for the guards to take Isabelle away. My eyes never left Isabella as they hauled her back through the side doors. Whatever decorum the woman first walked in with was long gone. She’d kicked and screamed until the doors slammed shut behind her.

“Does the prosecution have anything else to add?”

“No, Your Honor.”

“Very well, this case is now closed.”

I swayed back on my feet, utterly locked in a daze.

Alexander curled his hands around my arms and tried to get me to focus. “You did it,” he said. “It’s over.”

It’s over...Oh my God...It really was...

Tears started to prickle in the corners of my eyes.