Chapter 128 - Cheers to Comeuppance

Chapter pt. 4

Leon and Royce joined the rest of the Silverton family in the hospital’s waiting room. No one said a word about Madalena’s greenlight. The family knew that greenlight could be anything from a beating to an execution. Royce was in charge of all that because he showed zero remorse. Beau saw the signs in Royce when he was younger and trained him to harness his urges into something beneficial to the family.

Another hour and a half passed before Kenzie and another doctor came to find them.

“Kenzie, how is she!?” Madalena was the first to ask. Kenzie turned to the primary surgeon.

“The bullet had entered her upper abdomen. It was touch and go, but thankfully, we could repair the injuries.”

“What are you saying?” Huxley asked.

“Had it been one inch higher, it would have torn right through her diaphragm, but she may actually be able to walk out of here in a couple of days. I’d call that a minor miracle.” The family let out a collective breath of relief.

“And the baby?” Leon was the one to ask. This question made everyone freeze. The doctor turned to Kenzie. She took a deep breath and smiled at the family.

“Luckily, the bullet’s trajectory completely missed the baby’s amniotic sac.”

“What does that mean?” McKenna asked.

“It means that Dr. Bloom here was able to repair the damage without disrupting the fetus. I kept a close eye on the baby’s heart and blood pressure. There were moments when the baby showed signs of distress due to the anesthesia, but, like Anni, this baby is a fighter.”

“So, the baby is okay?” Beau asked.

“Yes, Mr. S. The baby is perfectly fine. That’s what I would call a miracle.” The family again let out another breath of relief hearing the good news. However, their joy was interrupted. “But …” they all turned to her. “Anni’s pregnancy is unstable now. Although she can move around, she can no longer do anything strenuous.”

“And by strenuous, you mean …” Huxley questioned.

“No sex, lifting heavy objects over five pounds, running, arguing, high-intensity workouts, nothing.”

“So, basically, she needs to be on bed rest?” Royce asked.

“No, not necessarily. Anni can move around and go out and such, but she has to keep her heart rate near resting, which means between 70 to 90 beats per minute.”

“That’s practically just walking,” Royce said.

“Exactly. Anni is only allowed to walk.” Everyone looked at her like she had grown two heads. “You guys have to understand how unstable her pregnancy is now. Any elevation in her heart rate or blood pressure can result in a miscarriage. No stress whatsoever. I’m saying this as a doctor. Her doctor. Anni cannot be under any kind of stress. So, she won’t be able to come to work until her third trimester. Leon, I’m sorry, but Anni is not allowed to accompany you to the courthouse next week, and I’m sorry to say this, but there will be no wedding planning either.”

“WHAT!?” Micky and Madalena exclaimed.

“I’m sorry, Micky. I’m sorry, Mama, but this is very important. If you want the baby to make it to full term, Anni cannot be under any stress,” Kenzie stated firmly. Everyone nodded theirs in understanding. “This also means that Leon, you must ensure that bitch Agatha is dead or gone for good. And Jack Hollands needs to be taken care of ASAP.”

“I hear you, Doc. Thanks. For everything.”

“She needs her rest. You all can see her in the morning,” Doctor Bloom stated and walked away.

“I’m going to keep Anni here for about a week just to monitor the stability of the fetus. When I feel that everything is stable enough, Anni can go home. And when I say home, I mean Leon’s home.”

“Huh!?”

“What?!”

“Why!?” multiple people said simultaneously.

“Are you guys serious right now? I know you guys love Anni, but you guys give her the most stress. Anni needs one person to take care of her, which would be Leon’s house staff, and a doctor to visit her without interruptions, which would be me. I cannot have you guys hover over me whenever I come over to check on her and the baby. So, as her doctor, I am telling you to either go back to your homes, away from New York, or at the very least, stay in the penthouse and leave Anni with Leon because I will be dammed if your constant helicopter family antics ruin this pregnancy for my best friend.” Kenzie had zero issues telling off the Silverton family on Annika’s behalf. As much as Annika loved her family, they were the ones that caused her the most stress.

“We’ll do as you say, Kenzie,” Madalena responded, much to everyone else’s chagrin. That is, everyone else except for Leon. No one could retort because Madalena’s resolve was one that no one could falter with any persuasion. With that said Kenzie nodded and turned away to get changed. “We abide by Kenzie’s rules. This is for Baby Bear and the little nugget growing inside of her. We all go home tomorrow and leave her in Kenzie and Leon’s capable hands. We’re not needed here anymore. I trust Leon’s case will go smoothly, and Jack Hollands will be dealt with accordingly.” The family nodded and did as she said.

The next day, the Silverton family packed up their belongings and returned to their respective homes but kept in constant touch with Annika, Leon, and Kenzie. When the time came for Leon’s continuance against Sadie, Janko came to him to inform him that the case would no longer need a trial with a jury.

To Leon’s complete astonishment, Sadie spoke to her public defender and Janko privately before court resumed and opted to take a plea deal in return for a lighter sentence. Janko agreed. He gave Sadie two options to choose from. Fifteen years without the possibility of parole or five years without parole, and one thousand days of community service. Sadie chose the latter of the options because she would at least be out in the real world. Janko took the plea deal to the judge, who disagreed and changed Sadie’s option to seven years served with the possibility of parole in five and 1,500 days of community service. Sadie agreed to the terms when they were presented to her.

Leon felt that her punishment wasn’t enough for everything she had done, but when he told Annika, she told him it was fine. Sadie had lost enough already. Being locked up wasn’t worse than being completely alone, which was what had happened to Sadie. Leon took Annika’s word and let it go.

When Annika was released from the hospital, Leon took a sabbatical from work to take care of her. Toby became the acting CEO of Paradox Co. in the meantime. Before they knew it, five months had passed, and Annika could move about of her own free will without fear of losing her baby. Annika learned that Leon and Royce sent Agatha Galloway to Brazil, where she would suffer alone for the rest of her life. Jack’s case against her fell through when Hunter was able to have his lawyer, Pete Thurston, arrested on extortion and bribery.

They had a gender reveal party at Leon’s private mansion, where they invited everyone they knew and then some. They were revealed to have a little girl, and Leon couldn’t have been happier. Annika had hoped for a boy resembling Leon, but she knew they could try again. After the party, Annika resumed her wedding plans. She and Leon agreed on a destination wedding to keep the crowd at bay and that it would only be close friends and family. Annika chose Santorini, Greece, for their destination, and from there, she, Leon, and their daughter would travel the world for three months.

Annika’s world had changed so much, but with her newfound happiness, she wouldn’t change it for the world. Although she endured so much heartache and tribulations to get to this point in her life, she knew that everything happened for a reason. The roller coaster of life taught her many things. Being kind was better than being bitter. Karma was an absolute bitch. And wrongdoers always got their comeuppance.