Chapter 212: Final Sentences and Unspoken Farewells

Two months passed.

On a quiet morning, Eric and Caleb returned to the courtroom for the final sentencing hearing in Jason’s trial, which had been ongoing for over three months. Joining them were Martin, Ruby, and Jade, sitting together in support. Vanessa was also there, sitting alone in the furthest corner of the gallery, her head bowed to hide her face. Behind them sat Melissa and Vivian.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the defense table, where Jason sat in a dark jumpsuit—looking like a man who no longer had the will to live, yet lacked the courage to die. The judge entered the room, and after everyone rose and settled back into their seats, he instructed the jury foreman to read the verdict once more to formalize the proceedings. The jury representative stood up and read through each charge levied against Jason. On every single count, the verdict was the same: guilty.

Following the reading, the judge asked Jason’s defense counsel if there were any remaining motions or objections. Receiving none, he offered both sides a chance to make their final statements, briefly consulting with the prosecution as well as the attorneys representing Eric, Martin, and Melissa. Once the final statements were entered into the record, the judge turned his gaze directly toward Jason at the defense table.

"You have been found guilty on all counts as read by the jury. Before I pronounce sentencing, you have a constitutional right to address this court. Is there anything you wish to say to me at this time on your own behalf?" the judge asked, his tone measured and heavy.

Jason slowly lifted his head, his bloodshot eyes locking onto the judge, who waited patiently for a response. He glanced over at Eric, Caleb, Martin, Ruby, and Jade, then caught sight of Vanessa sitting by herself in the back, abandoned by David. Finally, his eyes drifted toward Melissa and Vivian, both of whom refused to look at him. His lips trembled as if he wanted to speak, but in the end, he closed his mouth, looked back at the judge, and quietly shook his head.

Seeing that the defendant had nothing to offer, the judge proceeded with the formal sentencing.

"Pursuant to the Sentencing Reform Act and upon consideration of all statutory factors... it is the judgment of this court that you, Jason Watts, are hereby committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for a term of 35 years. Upon release from imprisonment, you shall be placed on supervised release for a period of 5 years."

The moment the judge’s words echoed through the room, Jason’s entire composure collapsed. Tears streamed down his face, his shoulders slumped, and his head dropped onto the table.

The judge continued without pause, "You have the right to appeal this conviction and sentence. If you choose to appeal, you must file a Notice of Appeal within 14 days from today. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights?"

Jason could only nod weakly with his head down. The judge then delivered a stern, uncompromising rebuke, laying out the gravity of Jason’s actions without holding back. Even sitting in the gallery, Eric could feel the razor-sharp weight of the judge’s words.

With that, the judge picked up his gavel.

"Thud... thud... thud."

"With this final judgment, these proceedings are concluded and this court is adjourned," the judge declared.

An absolute silence fell over the room. Eric, Caleb, Martin, Ruby, and Jade sat motionless, unable to utter a word. Behind them, Vanessa broke into quiet, muffled sobs, while Melissa and Vivian remained completely silent, their faces drawn and somber. After rising to respect the departing judge, they watched as two officers took hold of a limp, silent Jason, guiding him away to begin serving his sentence.

Ruby, sitting sandwiched between Eric and Martin, reached out and took both of their hands in hers.

"That means... by the time he gets out of prison, Jason will be 60 years old... since he’s already 25," Ruby murmured softly.

"Yeah... but he brought every bit of this on himself, and he just heard the consequences," Eric replied, his voice calm despite feeling somewhat shaken inside.

"At least... he won’t be able to bother us for the next 35 years, right Eric?" Ruby asked again, her voice slightly trembling.

"That’s... right," Eric answered softly.

Eric and Ruby both turned to look at Martin. His expression remained as stoic as ever, but he looked as if he had aged twenty years since the trial first began. Sensing his children’s eyes on him, Martin turned his head slightly toward them.

"I’m alright," he said, his voice flat and steady.

Eric and Ruby simply nodded. They knew better than anyone that no parent could remain unaffected watching their own child receive a sentence that wiped out more than half his life. Yet it was clear Martin was doing everything in his power to accept the reality of it.

As they sat in silence, Caleb placed a hand on Eric’s shoulder. Eric turned to see Caleb and Jade looking at him with concern.

"You doing okay?" Caleb asked.

"I’m fine. But if you guys want to head back first, go ahead. I’ll take my time," Eric replied.

"Alright then. Jade and I will take off first," Caleb said.

"Sorry for leaving early, Eric," Jade added softly.

"Don’t worry about it. Thanks for coming with us," Eric smiled.

"Anytime, man. See you at the office later," Caleb said, standing up.

"Yeah, I’m heading to the office too for practice," Jade said, following Caleb out.

"Sounds good. See you at the office," Eric nodded.

Caleb and Jade said goodbye to Ruby and Martin before walking out of the courtroom. Eric glanced back to see Vanessa still slumped in her seat, sobbing softly into her hands. Melissa and Vivian were still frozen in place, their expressions grim and unreadable. Sensing Eric’s gaze, Vanessa lifted her head, offered him a faint, fleeting smile, and then quietly stood up and slipped out the back door.

A moment later, Norman entered the courtroom to pick up Melissa, and the two of them left alongside Vivian without saying goodbye to Eric, Ruby, or Martin.

In the end, only the three of them remained, sitting in silence amidst the empty pews as they processed everything that had just unfolded. Eric turned to Ruby and Martin with a gentle nudge.

"How about we grab some lunch after this?" Eric offered.

Ruby and Martin looked up at Eric, subtle smiles appearing on their faces. Without a word, both nodded in agreement. They stood up and slowly walked out into the corridor.

"Ruby, when are your final exams?" Martin asked as they strolled down the hallway.

"Next week, Dad," Ruby replied.

"Ah, that explains it... next week, huh? No wonder Emma, Chloe, Priya, Monica, Heidi, and Laura are freaking out and cramming every single night," Eric chuckled softly.

"Yep... Tania and I are in the same boat, even though I already got my scholarship," Ruby said.

"You’re not giving your scholarship back like the others?" Eric asked.

"Nope... I want to go to my dream university, and Dad gave me his permission. Right, Dad?" Ruby asked, looking over at Martin.

"That’s right. I gave her my blessing. I don’t want to force Ruby to take over the family business if she wants to pursue her own dreams," Martin said reassuringly.

"You know I’ve always loved music, but I was always pushed into the wrong major and never got a real chance. Now that I have the opportunity, I want to take it... if that’s okay? Besides, I’m not doing it alone, Tania is coming with me," Ruby explained.

"You and Tania have gotten pretty close, haven’t you?" Eric smiled.

"Of course, we’re best friends," Ruby replied proudly. "She’s even been teaching me piano and violin. I really love living in the same house as her."

The three continued down the long hallway and stepped out of the courthouse into the morning air. Eric led Martin and Ruby to his car, and they drove off to an upscale restaurant to share a quiet lunch and catch up.

***

Meanwhile, inside Melissa’s car, Vivian sat quietly in the passenger seat, staring blankly out the window. She clutched a duffel bag on her lap, her feet wedged against a backpack on the floorboard. Melissa stole a quick glance at her.

"You’re not going to say goodbye to Eric?" Melissa asked gently.

"No. I don’t want to bother him anymore. Besides, I sent him a text on New Year’s letting him know I was moving out of state. I don’t deserve to be around him, let alone talk to him... so it’s fine," Vivian answered quietly.

"Your face and those tears say otherwise," Melissa remarked, glancing at her again.

Vivian reached up to touch her cheek, only just realizing that tears were streaming down her face. She immediately buried her face in her hands. Melissa didn’t say another word; she simply took one hand off the steering wheel and rested it gently on top of Vivian’s head as their car merged onto the quiet, open highway toward the airport.