Chapter 77 Guilty!

Chapter 77 Guilty!
Alezandra's P.O.V

The court hearing was broadcast on every national channel. I had thought my brother had unalived my offender whose name I later found out was Alejandro Hernandes. A 39-year-old criminal.

Alejandro had a long history of outstanding crimes. Thanks to his nasty record and my brother's service as an ex-soldier, Lorenzo escaped without facing heavy penalties like prison time. I also found out Alejandro had a three year old daughter, and a girlfriend who had been suffering under his abuse, too afraid to press charges. The poor thing sat silently in the audience, her eyes never once leaving me the entire time. Lorenzo was here too, along with Andrea‐ who I avoided at all cost. I did glance at him two twice, that's all allowed myself. I made my decision and this is just what it will be from now on.

I’m sure that between the stages of my pregnancy and sorting out the last details for the wedding, I’ll forget about everything that happened between us.

I was lying to myself. How could I ever forget about Andrea Russo?

I sighed.

My best friend and sister-in-law Katherine, Jaxon, and his brother Alexander were all here too.

"Six years in rehabilitation at the Manhattan Mental Care mental facility. In those years you will not interact with Liam Russo until you have proven you are no longer a harm to yourself or others." The judge's gavel struck the block, sealing Lillian's fate.

My throat tightened with a surge of emotions. Six years, barely enough for what she had put us all through, for what I went through. I forced the tears back, feeling Alexander's arm tighten protectively around my shoulders.

"Ladies and gentlemen, court is adjourned." I glanced at Lillian one last time‐ at least, the last time for the next six years, and let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Relief washed over me, but contentment still felt far away. Lillian was staring at Andrea the whole time, not seeming to care about what her lawyer was whispering in her ear. My eyes moved to Andrea.

He was looking right back at her. In that moment, I wondered‐ if I had stayed away, if I had told him no every time he showed up in my life, would I still be in such chaos? I shook the thought away, allowing Alexander to lead me out of the courthouse. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I departed.

Especially Jaxon's.

I was halfway across the parking lot when I felt my phone vibrating in the pocket of my trousers. I ignored it, wiping the beads of sweat that had formed on my face, and kept walking until my black Range Rover came into view. Alexander stayed quiet, a few steps behind me.

"Are you sure you're okay staying on your own?" he asked, his eyebrows pinched together and worry etched across his face.

Oh, I'd forgotten about the matrimonial house we were gifted. Jaxon and I are staying at and were suppose to be staying there until the night after the wedding, but I was told he would be busy. So, I will be on my own now.

Thanks to his phone ringing, I was saved from having to tell him the truth, that I couldn't stomach anything besides roast fish, that the poor maid probably went home to her kids and husband every night smelling like a dockworker, or that all I really did anymore was cry, eat, sleep, and drown myself in rom‐com just to feel normal.

Alexander spoke briefly into the phone, then handed it to me.

"It's Andrea."

Standing mere inches from my jeep, I contemplated getting inside and ignoring Andrea's altogether.

Zander rolled his eyes, outstretching his hand with the phone. I snatched it from his grasp, bringing it to my ear.

"Alex," Andrea’s deep voice came through.

Moments passed, and he didn’t say anything else, fearing what he knew would come next.

He cleared his throat.

"Alex, are you there?"My heart did a somersault, emotions tugging at me from all directions.

I took in a shaky breath, stepping away from Zander.

"I’ve made my decision." If I were to go back on my words after I’d publicly stated we were no longer seeing each other, what good would that be? Was it worth risking everything? My career? My child’s future?

Silence.

"Oh... well, that’s a shame."My brows furrowed as my lips quivered. He didn’t even sound like himself. He sounded defeated... heartbroken, and it hurt me even more that this was hurting him, that I was hurting him. Pain laced through my chest, and I had to clench my jaw to hold the sob back. I wasn’t going to cry in the parking lot with this many eyes around.

Another deep breath came from the other end of the line.

“Goodbye, Alex.” Then the call ended.

I didn’t even get to say goodbye back to him...

Clenching my jaw, I wiped a tear resisting the urge to hurl Alexander's phone across the parking lot out of frustration.

Returning to Alexander, I handed him his phone.

He raised a brow.

"Everything okay?"

"Everything is all wrong," I chuckled humorously.

I didn't miss the way his eyes flicked to my stomach for a split second before I climbed into the jeep. There was a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Oh the niece‐ or nephew he'd wanted for the longest while.

I quirked a brow, lips curving despite myself. The triumph in his gleaming brown eyes couldn't have been more obvious.

"Do you think it's a girl?" he asked, scratching the nape of his neck.

I rolled the windows all the way down before closing the door.

"Gee, I hope so. I can't handle a mini Jaxon running around," I said with a smile. Zander snorted.

"That's not even half as bad as a mini Russo." he murmured, rolling his eyes.

I froze for a second. Surely the universe wouldn't be so cruel to me. And if it was Andrea's child, that will be a battle for another time.

Across the parking lot, I spotted Jaxon in his navy- blue suit, strolling toward his parked car. He glanced in my direction.

"Speak of the devil," I muttered. Zander frowned but didn't say anything.

"The project you're both working on-"

"It's classified," he cut me off, in all seriousness now.

"But I'll send you an email with what we have. Why'd you ask?"

"I'm looking to invest." Zanders eyebrows shot up at the mention of this.

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea."

"Have you secured any investment?" I asked. He pursed his lips and glanced towards Jaxon who was now driving past.

"And there goes my ride home. Wow."

"I'll be looking out for that email. I could invest anonymously- Jaxon wouldn't even know." I smiled sweetly at him.

"You're putting me in a position here," Zander said, narrowing his eyes.

"It's business. Imagine he wasn't your brother and I wasn't your sister-in-law."

"Fine." He sighed. I smiled as I started the engine.

"I'll see you in two days, at the wedding." Zander grinned sheepishly and stepped back as I almost ran him over. Allegedly...