Chapter 6 - The ArrestRyan was arrested at seven the next morning.
Grant was taken from his office.
Diane was questioned.
Brooke's bank accounts were frozen.
And suddenly the family that had treated me like an inconvenience was calling my phone nonstop.
Diane begged.
Brooke screamed.
Grant threatened.
Ryan said nothing.
I ignored them all.
The investigation grew rapidly.
Federal agents uncovered millions in fraudulent transfers.
Investors came forward.
Employees testified.
Former contractors provided evidence.
Emily became a protected witness.
And the hidden camera footage proved the abuse in my home.
The prosecution added assault charges.
The detective showed me the footage once.
I didn't watch the whole thing.
I didn't need to.
I remembered.
Ryan holding my wrists.
Grant pressing the cigarette.
Diane watching.
Brooke filming.
I would never forget.
At the preliminary hearing, Ryan finally looked at me.
He looked exhausted.
Smaller.
Not the confident man who had ordered me out of my own penthouse.
The judge asked him whether he understood the charges.
He said yes.
Then his attorney requested bail.
The prosecutor objected.
“The defendant presents a danger to the victim and has demonstrated financial motives for controlling her assets.”
Ryan looked at me.
I didn't look away.
The judge denied bail.
Grant's attorney protested.
The judge denied his request too.
As officers led Ryan away, he stopped beside me.
“Claire.”
I said nothing.
“I really did love you.”
I looked at him.
“You loved the woman who paid your bills.”
His face collapsed.
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I would have changed.”
“You had years.”
He lowered his head.
“I know.”
Then he was gone.
I thought I would feel victorious.
I didn't.
I felt tired.
Because revenge wasn't what I wanted.
I wanted my life back.
I wanted my baby safe.
I wanted to wake up without wondering who was watching me.
I wanted to walk into my own home without remembering that night.
Marcus helped me reclaim the penthouse.
We changed every lock.
Removed every camera.
Replaced the security system.
And legally barred Ryan's family from entering.
The apartment was quiet.
Too quiet.
I walked into the kitchen.
The table was gone.
The broken crystal had been removed.
The wall had been repainted.
But I could still see Grant standing there.
I touched my stomach.
My baby kicked.
I smiled.
“I'm here.”
The movement came again.
I laughed softly.
“I know.”
For the first time, I wasn't alone.
May you like
I was becoming a mother.
And I would build a home where my child never had to wonder whether love came with a price.
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