Chapter 8 - The Verdict of the Frozen Heart
The entire ballroom erupted into gasps and shocked whispers. Cameras flashed wildly as reporters rushed forward, their lenses capturing the historic downfall of Derek Bennett.
"It’s impossible!" Derek shrieked, backing away into the arms of the Federal Marshals. "She was locked in! The temperature was minus fifty! She couldn't have survived!"
"You just confessed on live television and in front of fifty federal witnesses, Mr. Bennett," the lead FBI agent said, stepping forward and snapping heavy steel handcuffs onto Derek’s wrists.
"No! She’s an imposter! It’s a trick by Vance!" Derek thrashed frantically as the agents forced his arms behind his back.
Grace stepped closer to him, her face inches from his terrifyingly pale countenance. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, framed photograph.
It was a photo taken just that morning—of two beautiful, healthy newborn twin babies, wrapped in pink and blue blankets, sleeping peacefully in Carter Vance’s private nursery.
"Their names are Ethan and Lily," Grace said, her tone smooth, hard, and utterly unforgiving. "They will grow up knowing their mother is a survivor, and that their biological father is a monster who will rot in a federal prison for the rest of his life."
"Grace, please!" Derek wept, all his pathetic arrogance vanishing as the reality of lifelong imprisonment crashed down on him. "I was desperate! The bookies were going to kill me! I love you! Please tell them to stop!"
"You didn't love me when you turned that lock, Derek," Grace said coldly. "You loved the money."
She turned her back on him as the agents dragged him weeping and screaming out of the ballroom, past the flashing cameras of the national media.
Carter stepped down from the stage, walking over to stand beside Grace. He gently placed his hand at the small of her back, offering a steady, protective anchor.
"Are you okay?" Carter asked softly.
May you like
Grace looked toward the doors where her nightmare had finally been dragged away forever. She took a deep, full breath of warm air—air that no longer burned her lungs.
"I’m free," she smiled, looking up at Carter. "Now, take me home to my babies."
