Chapter 62 This isn’t over
The foreperson stood…a middle-aged woman in a cardigan. “We have, Your Honor.”
“What say you?”
“On the charge of embezzlement in the first degree, we find the defendant… guilty.”
The courtroom erupted.
Ariella couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t process. Guilty. They’d said guilty.
“On the charge of fraud, we find the defendant guilty.”
“On the charge of money laundering, we find the defendant guilty.”
Three guilty verdicts. On every count.
Winters’ face remained impassive. But his hands, resting on the table, had gone white-knuckled.
Pierce was already standing, requesting immediate appeal, arguing technicalities.
Judge Park gaveled for order. “The defendant is remanded to custody pending sentencing. Bail is revoked. Sentencing will be scheduled within thirty days.”
“Your Honor, my client…”
“Is no longer entitled to bail after being convicted of multiple felonies. Marshals, take him into custody.”
Federal marshals approached Winters. He stood slowly, dignified even in defeat. They handcuffed him right there in the courtroom.
As they led him past the prosecution table, he looked directly at Ariella.
“This isn’t over,” he said quietly.
Then he was gone.
Ariella turned to Aiden. He was staring at the empty defense table, shell-shocked.
“We won,” she whispered.
“We won.”
“He’s going to prison.”
“He’s going to prison.”
They held each other while the courtroom celebrated around them, Sarah Chen accepting congratulations, Patricia Moreno crying with relief, reporters scrambling for quotes.
But for Ariella and Aiden, it felt strangely anticlimactic.
They’d spent a year fighting for this moment. And now that it was here, it felt… incomplete. Because Winters was convicted of financial crimes but not murder. Because fifteen million dollars was still unaccounted for. Because nothing would bring back Ethan or Catherine or any of the others.
Justice wasn’t restoration.
It was just… less injustice than before.
Outside the courthouse, media surrounded them. Microphones thrust forward, questions shouted over questions.
“How does it feel to win?”
“What’s next for you both?”
“Do you plan to pursue the murder charges?”
Aiden held up a hand. “We’re grateful for the jury’s verdict. We’re grateful for the FBI’s thorough investigation and the prosecution’s dedication. And we’re grateful that James Winters will finally be held accountable for his crimes.”
“And the murder allegations?”
“The investigation continues. This verdict is just the beginning.”
They pushed through to the waiting car. Inside, finally alone with just Marcus and their family, the reality hit.
“We actually did it,” Lily said, wonder in her voice.
“We actually did it,” Claire echoed.
“So what happens now?” Ariella asked.
“Sentencing in thirty days. Winters will likely get twenty to thirty years based on the amounts involved,” Marcus said. “The murder investigation continues, but that’s a separate case. Separate trial.”
“More trials.”
“Potentially. If the FBI builds a strong enough case.”
“Do we have to be part of that too?”
“Only if you want to be.”
Ariella looked at Aiden. They’d been fighting for so long. The thought of more trials, more testimony, more years of this was exhausting.
“Let’s just get through sentencing first,” Aiden said. “Then we’ll decide what comes next.”
“Together?”
“Always together.”
That night, back at the mansion, they finally exhaled.
The trial was over. Winters was convicted. They’d won.
It wasn’t perfect justice. It wasn’t complete vindication. But it was something.
And after a year of fighting, something felt like everything.