Chapter 170 CHAPTER 170

Chapter 170 CHAPTER 170
CHAPTER 170
THIRD PERSON'S POV

The morning after the verdict, dawned bright and clear the sun spilling light across the city. Elysia had spent another night in the chair beside Kieran's bed, her hand wrapped around his, her head resting on the edge of the mattress.

She had not slept much, her mind kept circling back to the trial. The weight of every word spoken in court. The relief that came with the verdict, still the fear, deep and quiet, that clung to her like a shadow. Kieran was still here. He was not yet himself.

She stirred, her neck stiff her body aching from sitting long and she looked at Kieran. His face remained pale. His body motionless. The machines beeped their rhythm, a sound she had come to know by heart. A reminder that he was still here. So very fragile.

"Good morning!" She whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "We did it. We won. Maya is free. Kane is going to prison for the rest of his life."

She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead, her lips staying there a moment longer than necessary. "The whole city is talking about it. They're calling it a victory for justice. They say no one is above the law."

She pressed his hand against her stomach, where the life they were growing together moved quietly inside her. "I wish you could have been there. I wish you could have seen his face when they read the verdict."

The news of the verdict had spread like fire through the streets. By morning headlines blared across newspapers and screens: Justice Served: Victor Kane Convicted on All Counts. Elysia Castello: The Lawyer Who Took Down a Crime Lord. A Victory for Victims.

People had followed the trial closely. Their hearts had been tied to the outcome. Now they celebrated. They cheered in the streets held signs, shared stories. Maya’s name had become a symbol, not of survival but of courage.

Social media was flooded. Messages poured in from over, the friends, the strangers, the people who had once felt silenced. They sent words of thanks of hope of pride. Maya’s story had touched them.. Her freedom? It felt personal to everyone.

Elysia’s phone buzzed nonstop, she answered a few calls. Most went to voicemail. She needed time. She needed silence. She needed to be with Kieran.

Her mother arrived early in the morning a bag of clothes and a warm smile. "I brought you some things!" Elizabeth said softly. "You need to take care of yourself.”

Elysia nodded, taking the bag. "Thank you Mom. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Elizabeth pulled her into a hug arms wrapping tight. "You don’t have to do this sweetheart. We’re here for you.”

Hope burst into the room her voice high with excitement. "Mama! Mama! I saw you on TV! You were so brave!”

Elysia knelt, pulling her daughter close. "I missed you, sweetheart. I miss you very much.”

Hope pulled back eyes shining. "Everyone is talking about you, Mama. They’re saying you’re a hero!”

Elysia smiled, but her heart tightened. "I’m not a hero, sweetheart. I just did what was right.”

The hospital staff had been kind. Nurses stopped by with smiles and kind words offering congratulations. Doctors spoke to her with respect their voices full of admiration.

“Ms. Castello!" Dr. Martin said, standing tall but gentle. "You’ve done something. You’ve given many people hope.”

Elysia shook her head. "I just did my job.”

“Your job," Dr. Martin repeated. "is to fight for justice. You’ve done that brilliantly.”

The press had gathered outside the hospital. Reporters waited behind cameras hoping for a statement. Elysia had stayed in the room, her focus was on Kieran. Not the spotlight. Not the interviews. Just him.

She knew it wouldn’t last. One day she would have to speak. She would have to stand before the world. She would have to keep fighting.

But for now though she was content. She was here, in this room. Holding Kieran’s hand.

The afternoon brought a visit from Maya and her family. Maya’s eyes sparkled. Her smile was real unburdened. The pressure had finally lifted.

"Elysia," She said, voice warm hands trembling slightly. "I don't know how to thank you. You gave me my life back."

Elysia pulled her into an embrace, tears spilling. "You gave yourself your life back. You were brave. So brave.”

Maya’s mother stepped forward, voice with emotion. "We will never forget what you've done for our family. Never.”

Elysia wiped her eyes smiling through the tears. "You're welcome. If there’s ever anything you need I'm here.”

That evening someone new came. A young woman, nervous eyes downcast. She approached Elysia in the hospital lobby voice shaky.

“Ms. Castello, I’m sorry to bother you. I wanted to thank you. I... I went through something. I was too afraid to speak up. Seeing you fight for Maya…it gave me hope. It made me believe I could speak up too.”

Elysia felt a lump rise in her throat. "That means more to me than you’ll ever know. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here.”

The young woman nodded, tears falling silently. "Thank you. Thank you very much.”

The news had reached Victor Kane’s people too. The criminal network was breaking apart. Their leader was gone. Their power crumbling. Threats against Elysia and her family had stopped, for now. Kane was locked away. His associates scattered, hiding.

Elysia knew better. Danger didn’t vanish just because a man was behind bars. His people would wait. They would plan. They would strike when the time was right.

She had to stay alert. She had to protect her family. Always.

For now though she allowed herself to breathe. To sit, in the quiet.

The night deepened. The hospital fell into silence. Elysia sat by Kieran’s bed her hand clasped in his her voice soft.

"Everyone is calling me a hero." She said. "But I'm not a hero. I'm a woman who loves her husband. A woman who wants to make the world better for her children."

She paused, tears welled in her eyes. "I need you to come back to me, Kieran. I need you to be there for the chapter. I can’t do this alone.”

She pressed his hand to her lips, tears falling onto his skin. "I love you. I love you very much.”

The room stayed silent. Only the machines answered, their steady beeping filling the air. Elysia felt something, small, but real. A thread connecting them. A flicker of hope that refused to die.

She would not give up. Not now. Not ever. She would always be by his side.

The morning the headlines were bigger than before. The story had spread. Across cities. Across countries. Elysia Castello was a name known by millions.

Her fight had inspired others. People who had stayed silent began speaking. Victims came forward. Stories that had been buried rose to the surface.

Elysia stood by the window of Kieran’s room looking out at the city. The sun was rising again casting a glow over buildings and streets. It was a day. A new beginning.

She turned to look at Kieran. His face still pale. His body still.. She could feel him. Not with sight, not with movement, but with memory. With love. With belief.

“One day," She whispered, voice soft, as a breeze. "One day you’re going to wake up. When you do, we're going to face the future together. Just like we always have.”

She walked to the bed hand reaching for his. She kissed his forehead, lingering.

“I love you, Kieran. I’m going to keep fighting. For you. For Hope. For our baby. For our family.”

The machines beeped their rhythm. A lullaby of hope. Of love. Of promise. Elysia closed her eyes. Her heart was full.