Chapter 10 - The Echo of Truth
Six months passed.
In a windowless, concrete room deep within the walls of a federal correctional facility in Pennsylvania, Julian sat at a metal table. He wore an orange jumpsuit, his hair cropped short and unstyled. The sharp, arrogant posture was completely gone, replaced by a slumped, defeated posture.
Sitting across from him was his court-appointed defense attorney, a weary man holding a thick stack of legal documents.
"The prosecution has rejected the plea offer," the attorney said, signing a paper. "Thomas Vance personally spoke with the United States Attorney this morning. They are seeking the maximum penalty of thirty years without the possibility of parole."
Julian stared down at his handcuffed wrists resting on the cold steel table. "Did she... did Rebecca send any response to my letters?"
The attorney looked up, his expression cold and neutral. "Your letters were intercepted by the court under the terms of the permanent restraining order. Mrs. Vance has officially dropped your surname. She and her daughter have legally changed their names and relocated."
May you like
Julian’s jaw twitched, but no words came out. He looked at the reflection of his own face in the polished metal table—a man who had tried to build a kingdom out of fear, only to find himself buried in its ruins.
"She doesn't exist for you anymore, Julian," the attorney added quietly, closing his briefcase. "You are dead to them."
