Lawyer Hayes: Mr. Sterling, the grand jury has returned a full indictment against Victoria Sterling.
Julian stood outside the Dallas County Courthouse, buttoning his charcoal suit jacket.
Two months had passed since that horrifying night at the estate mansion.
Julian: What are the final charges, Mr. Hayes?
Lawyer Hayes: Attempted capital murder, attempted feticide, aggravated assault, and grand felony fraud.
Julian: Is she offering a plea deal?
Lawyer Hayes: Her defense team tried to offer ten years, but the District Attorney rejected it immediately.
Julian: Good. She deserves the maximum sentence possible.
The heavy double doors of the courtroom opened, and Clara walked out slowly, supported by a cane.
Her baby bump was even larger now, just weeks away from her official due date.
Julian: How did the preliminary hearing go, sweetheart?
Clara: The judge revoked her bail completely. She's staying in jail until the trial starts.
Julian: Did she try to talk to you?
Clara: She sat at the defense table staring at the floor. She didn't even look up once.
Lawyer Hayes: The crime scene photos of the shattered glass and the balcony floor were damning evidence.
Julian: What about the life insurance policy?
Lawyer Hayes: Forensic handwriting experts confirmed her attorney forged Mrs. Sterling's signature.
Clara: What will happen to her attorney?
Lawyer Hayes: He was arrested yesterday morning for criminal conspiracy. His license to practice law is gone.
Julian: They both thought they could outsmart the law.
Lawyer Hayes: In Texas, attempted feticide carries a minimum twenty-year sentence on its own.
Clara: I just want this nightmare to be completely behind us.
Julian: It is behind us, Clara. The estate belongs strictly to our family now.
They walked down the broad stone steps of the courthouse toward their waiting car.
Reporters flashed cameras from behind the police barricades, shouting questions.
Reporter: Mrs. Sterling! How does it feel knowing your stepmother is facing thirty years in prison?
Clara: Justice is finally being served for my family.
Reporter: Mr. Sterling, will you sell the Dallas estate after what happened?
Julian: The estate is our home. We're turning Victoria's wing into a children's nursery.
The reporters clapped and snapped photos as Julian opened the passenger door for Clara.
Clara: A nursery... I love the sound of that, Julian.
Julian: We're replacing every dark memory in that house with light and joy.
Clara: Do you think your father would be proud of how you handled this?
Julian: My father always told me that family is what you protect with your life.
He reached over and touched Clara's soft cheek as the car glided down the Dallas highway.
Clara: You protected us, Julian. You saved our entire future.
Julian: And I will spend the rest of my life making sure no one ever hurts you again.