Chapter 94: Chapter 94

“ Thus, for the previously listed crimes, the jurors understand that the defendant constitutes a danger to society as a whole and, mainly, to the victims affected by her crimes. Thus, this court sentences Samantha Jocelyn Jones Manson to 65 years in prison, without the right to parole, to be served from that moment on.

At the sound of the judge's gavel bang, Samantha's angry screams began to fill the large courtroom, but Morgan didn't look in the direction of the hysterical, almost ghostly figure she had become since her arrest. Instead, he hugged Charlie even tighter to his chest, starting to guide her out of there, while he caressed the place where the scar was on her back, underneath her clothes. It was a habit he'd picked up months ago, after she'd finally been released from not only the hospital, but the constant dressing changes. Now, the wound was nothing more than a misshapen pink mark near her hip, but Morgan knew he would never be able to look at that scar without seeing the image of her unconscious and bloodied in her arms again.

Sometimes, the chair felt too light for Samantha, especially when that memory of Charlie almost dead came back to haunt him, like that moment.

“It was the best thing that could happen. “Charlie said beside her, clearly knowing what direction her thoughts had taken and wanting to console him “She wanted a life of luxury and comfort at the expense of the lives of others and now she's going to get the exact opposite of that. It's the punishment that will make her suffer the most, if you stop to think about it.

" Yes, I think so... " Morgan sighed, knowing that he should leave that subject aside, for the sake of the peaceful and happy life he was building next to the woman he loved " At least justice was done and we will never have again to see her again.

“That's right…” Charlie consoled him, standing on tiptoe so he could kiss her jaw. “Now, let's go. Let's go home! Our babies are waiting for us. she said, with a beaming smile, starting to pull his hand out of the courtroom, and he chuckled at how genuinely happy she was, now that Sawyer had started to be a little more affectionate, after she had returned. from hospital.

“Before we go…” Morgan waited until they were alone in the car, before opening the glove compartment and pulling out a small, folded piece of paper and handing it to her, “I think this belongs to you. .

“Ah…” Charlie's eyes lit up with surprise and understanding as she hesitantly accepted the paper “So… Is everything ready yet?

“ Open and you will see. “ he asked, although he knew that his smile should be answer enough to that question, especially as he was getting happier and happier as Charlie unfolded the small paper and started to read the details of the bank transfer he had made a few days ago.

“Well…” a nervous smile played across her face, never quite forming, “That's great! Now I can pay off all the loans I took out to renovate the shelter and pay back what I owed you...

“Don't start with that. “ he interrupted her, analyzing her expression carefully “ What's wrong, love? I thought you would be happy to receive your father's inheritance. After all, it was the court itself that decided that the age clause should no longer apply now that you are the only possible heir. And, well, that money belongs to your mother's family, in the end...

“ I know... And I'm happy, I swear. It's just that…” she hugged the paper to her chest sighing “I don't know, it's hard to explain. I spent the last three years, since my grandfather died, thinking that life was going to go very differently, as much as I didn't want to. I figured I'd have to spend a few more years putting up with my dad and Samantha and wait until I turned 21 to finally have the freedom I've always dreamed of...

"Well, it's only a month away from that, so you can assume that's what happened, in a way..." Morgan tried to cheer her up when she paused in her speech for a moment.

“ Doesn't it seem crazy how everything turned out so differently than I expected? “ she muttered, seeming to ask that question more to herself than to him “ I always thought that I would have to leave that hell of a mansion and have financial independence, to finally get you to look at me in another way and give us a chance . “She widened her eyes, slightly incredulous, as she glared at him. “But here we are. Married, in college and I'm not even 21 yet...

“ Well… Then I guess we should celebrate, no? “He smiled, caressing her cheek and making her rest her face against her hand immediately“ I don't know about you, but... Despite everything that happened, I wouldn't change a thing that happened between the two of us. Well, other than the obvious of course…” He placed his hand between her back and the seat so he could gently stroke her scar again, needing that little reminder that she was there with him, alive and well.

“Well, I guess I would change the time we wasted…” she whispered, biting her lip in a way he knew all too well and almost allowed him to read what she was thinking “And our first time would have been in my room back in the day. mansion, while Samantha and Anthony were arguing somewhere... You would have put your hand over my mouth to stop me from screaming too loudly and...

" Take it easy, you little pervert..." he teased, putting his hand between her legs, but not really touching her " The last time you made me stop the car in the middle of a deserted road to fuck you , we almost got caught by that cop. And I'm not willing to take that risk again...

“Give me five minutes and I guarantee I'll convince you that this risk is worth taking…” she purred, leaning into him, but the sound of his cell phone cut her off.

“ Saved by the bell. “He teased her, pulling the device out of her pants pocket, smiling when he saw who it was“ Hi, Hiroshi. Any news?

“ Only the best. “ he could almost hear his former assistant's smile through his cheerful voice “I've scheduled the signing of the last papers for next Friday at ten. The new shareholders said they wanted to invite you out for a drink after everything was finalized, but I explained that your wife is in a delicate health condition... Or was a few months ago, although you keep using that excuse to get away from them. …” Hiroshi chuckled.

“You did well, Hiroshi. “ Morgan smiled, relieved that he would have to step foot in that company again just to make the last details of the sale of the company official and just “ And stop calling them shareholders that way. You are one of them now, you have to call them your partners.

" I own a minuscule part of the company..." Hiroshi laughed, although it was obvious how happy he was for having managed to make that investment.

" For now. I bet you'll be able to buy a lot of stocks in the coming months.

“Well, I have the best adviser in the business, so I have no reason to disagree. “ he chuckled proudly “Now, don't let me keep getting in the way of your retirement. See you on Friday, yeah?

“See you then, Hiroshi. Morgan took his leave, turning to see the wide smile Charlie was giving him, knowing full well what they were talking about.

“So… is it going to be official now? “ she asked, her brown eyes shining with pure anticipation, making him laugh “I can't wait any longer. I always thought that selling a company was all about finding someone who wanted to buy it and that was it. I never thought there was such a mess...

“Yes, after Friday, the sale will be official. “He smiled, feeling an odd mixture of relief and melancholy rise in her chest.

“And how do you feel about that? “ she caressed his face, a little concerned “ I know you told me you wanted this too, but trust me, I understand it can be a little nerve-wracking, now that it's finally really happening... I mean, it was the company of your family and one of the few connections you had with your father...

“I admit it's a bittersweet feeling knowing I'll never set foot in that office again. “ He admitted, reflectively “ On one hand, a part of me feels a little guilty that I'm leaving the entire Sullivan legacy behind, but… The greater part is extremely relieved. “ he sighed, resting his head on the back of the car seat “ Of course, theoretically that place connected me to my father, but... I feel that, in the end, I connected much more to the son that I tried to be because of him, than myself or my own ambitions. I spent my whole life ignoring what I really wanted and trying to convince myself that I was born to run this company, like everyone always told me... But... " he laced his fingers with hers, trying to send that disturbing vision of his nearly dead wife out of his mind “ After holding you in my arms, covered in blood, and realizing what a wonderful life we could have lost... I realized it wasn't fair to keep letting these ghosts of the past me torment. My father is no longer here, as are all the other men in the family who worked at that company. And if the path they chose for themselves was investment, then great. Because I'm going to choose a different one! Morgan nodded, full of determination.

“I'm so glad to hear you say that. “ she jumped forward to hug him, leaving them in a crooked position between the seats “ And, you're right, we can have sex in a parking lot another day. Now, you need to go back home and put your studies in line." Charlie demanded authoritatively “ Don't think I've ever forgiven you for dropping out of college for three months just to take care of me, when I was perfectly capable of staying home with Vivian for a few hours while you were there.

“It wasn't such a big loss. “ he denied, not at all repentant “ And my teachers say I'm doing fine, so there's nothing to worry about.

“None of that! While I'm here, you won't neglect your dream! “ she huffed, poking his cheek “Now, let's go. When we get home, I want to make an appointment with my bank manager tomorrow to pay off all those debts once and for all and never have to make new ones again..." Charlie looked at the wire transfer again, scratching his cheek. head “ Damn! Grandpa should have raised me like a normal rich girl, going to parties and making million dollar purchases, instead of on that farm, helping him clean the stables when we were bored. Now I don't even know how to deal with so much money...

" Don't worry. Her husband has years of experience with this, after all. I'll have no problem putting my pension aside every now and then if it's going to help you. “ he assured, making her smile.

“ Look at us, now…” she celebrated, enchanted “ I am a wealthy future veterinarian and businesswoman and you are a housewife and future gastronome! Who knew, right? And we're both just getting started! Imagine when me, Vivian and Jack finally managed to put the charity veterinary clinic project into practice? By then, you and I will be graduated and working with what we love! “ she practically bounced in the car seat, euphoric “ Isn't that amazing?

" Yes definitely. But, do you know what is even more amazing? “ he asked, making her shake her head from side to side, curious “ To know that we will be together when all this happens. “ Morgan told, bringing their lips together in a kiss that should have been quick, but it turned into a new make-out moment that almost made him forget what they were talking about, exactly.

“Yes, we'll be together…” she mused, breathless, when they finally broke apart “And… Who knows… Maybe it won't even be just me, you, Matilda and Sawyer anymore, in the future… Charlie smiled, embarrassed.

“ I thought we agreed not to give them a new sibling until next year. “ he laughed, knowing since always that she would hardly keep that promise.

“ Oh, I still want to give them countless four-legged siblings, you bet...” she smiled even more “But… I was thinking, I don't know… Eventually… About them having a little brother or sister human…” She stared at him through her lashes, waiting for his reaction.

“You…you mean…” he stammered, torn between shock and delight at what she had just hinted at.

“It's not something we need to think about right now, of course. “ she added shyly, “You still have to graduate and so do I, so of course it would be better to wait to have a baby when our lives are a little less busy… But… Well, I know you do. wants to be a father and, well, I guess I'd also like to be a mother in the future, so..." she bit her lip, unsure "I just thought that one day we'd end up putting two and two together anyway and then...

“Oh, Charlie…” he cut her off, knowing his lack of response must be making her even more nervous, “If you only knew how happy I would be to have a baby with you… To start a family. .. " Morgan leaned his forehead against hers, amazed " It doesn't matter if this happens in a year or ten years... Just knowing that this will happen one day... It makes me happier than I ever thought I could be. “Bending down, he gave her a long sweet kiss, which he hoped he could make her feel the depth of her feelings “I love you so much Charlie...

“I love you too, husband. “ she laughed, also full of emotion, and wrapped her arms around his neck “ And, one day, we will both be able to say that we love our children too. Just be a little patient, okay? I'm still a little too young to be pushing a watermelon out…' Charlie patted her belly, as if she was imagining what it would be like to be pregnant.

“Oh, so you mean you think you're too young for that? “ he couldn't resist teasing her “ Did you know some girls are having kids at the age of 14 nowadays?

“What about great-grandchildren at 42?" she snorted, giving him a weak punch on the shoulder “What a hard life, huh? Now, come on, husband!" She straightened up in her chair, as if she were the captain of a ship “We have a million things waiting for us at home!"