Chapter 151 CHAPTER 152

Chapter 151 CHAPTER 152
CHAPTER 152
KNOX
Two weeks later, we all sat in the courtroom waiting for the judge to deliver the final sentence. My hands were clenched tight in my lap. Yael sat on my right, holding my hand. My mom was on my left, and Mina sat beside her. Aaron and Maya were a row behind us. The entire group had shown up to support us.

The judge finally spoke. His voice was clear and firm.

“After reviewing all the evidence, the medical records, the witness statements, and the recent incident, the court finds the defendant guilty on multiple counts of domestic violence, assault, and attempted assault. He is hereby sentenced to ten years in state prison with no possibility of early parole.”

The gavel came down.

Ten years.

I let out a long breath I didn’t know I was holding. Ten years. He was really going away for a long time.

My mom started crying softly beside me. I turned and pulled her into a hug.

“It’s over, Mom,” I whispered. “He can’t hurt you anymore. He can’t hurt any of us.”

She held onto me tightly. “I know, baby. I know. I’m just… I’m so relieved.”

Mina leaned over and joined the hug. “We’re free now. All of us.”

Yael rubbed my back gently. “You did it, Knox. You protected your family.”

I pulled back and looked at her, my eyes stinging. “We did it together.”

The bailiffs led my father out of the courtroom. He didn’t look at us. He kept his head down the whole time. I watched him go and felt a strange mix of emotions — anger, relief, sadness, and something close to peace.

When the courtroom cleared, we all stepped outside into the hallway. I hugged my mom again, longer this time.

“I’m so proud of you,” she said, her voice thick with tears. “You were so brave today. You stood up for me when I couldn’t stand up for myself.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” I said. “I would do it a thousand times over. You’re safe now. That’s all that matters.”

Mina came over and wrapped her arms around both of us. “Group hug. We made it. Ten years. He’s really gone for a long time.”

I laughed a little through the emotion. “Yeah. Ten years. It feels unreal.”

Aaron stepped forward and shook my hand firmly. “You did good in there. I know it wasn’t easy.”

I nodded. “Thanks for coming. It meant a lot to have you here.”

Maya smiled and hugged my mom. “We’re all family now. We’ve got your back.”

Yael came and stood beside me, slipping her hand into mine. I pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.

“I love you,” I whispered.

She looked up at me with teary eyes. “I love you too.”

We all stood there for a while, talking quietly. Mina wiped her eyes and looked at me.

“I’ve been thinking,” she said. “I was only planning to stay two weeks, but I called the university in Seoul yesterday. They said I can transfer back here for the rest of the semester if I want. Mom needs me right now, and I want to be here with her. With both of you.”

Mom’s face lit up. “You would do that?”

Mina nodded. “Of course. I miss you guys too much. And now that Dad is gone for good, I want to be close. We can be a family again.”

I felt my throat tighten. “That would mean everything to us, Bug. You know that, right?”

Mina grinned. “I know. So it’s decided. I’m transferring back. We’re doing this together.”

Aaron stepped forward and clapped me on the shoulder. “Congratulations, man. Your family is finally free.”

I looked at him and nodded. “Thanks. And thank you for everything you did. I know we had our issues, but you showed up when it mattered.”

Aaron gave a small smile. “We’re good. For Yael’s sake, and for your mom’s. We’re good.”

Maya hugged Aaron from the side. “See? I told you everything would work out.”

We all laughed softly. The mood felt lighter than it had in years.

Later that evening, after we dropped Mom and Mina back at the safe house, Yael and I went back to her dorm. I closed the door behind us and pulled her into my arms.

“It’s really over,” I said, my voice thick. “He’s going to be locked up for ten years. My mom is safe. Mina is coming back. I feel like I can finally breathe.”

Yael hugged me tight. “You did it. You protected your family. I’m so proud of you, Knox.”

I kissed her forehead, then her lips. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you. You kept me g
oing when I wanted to lose it. You stayed strong even when you were scared..”