The double oak doors of St. Jude’s Cathedral swung open so violently that the sound echoed through the vaulted sanctuary like a gunshot.

Three weeks later.

The Federal District Courthouse was surrounded by dozens of news vans, satellite trucks, and hundreds of reporters holding microphones. The Sterling family trial had become the biggest national news story of the decade.

Inside the third-floor courtroom, the atmosphere was solemn and tense.

Behind the defense table sat Senator Arthur Sterling, Victoria Sterling, and Julian Sterling. All three were dressed in navy prison jumpsuits, their wrists bound by heavy iron handcuffs. Arthur looked twenty years older, his arrogant posture replaced by a sunken, defeated slouch. Victoria sat staring straight ahead at the polished wood table, her eyes red and hollow.

On the gallery benches sat Ethan, Lucy, and Samuel.

The presiding federal judge, a stern woman with sharp grey hair, adjusted her glasses and looked down from her elevated bench.

"In the matter of the United States versus Arthur Sterling, Victoria Sterling, and Julian Sterling," the judge’s clear voice echoed through the courtroom. "The court has reviewed the federal plea agreements, the biometric evidence from Pinecrest, and the financial records of the Sterling Trust."

She looked directly at Victoria.

"Victoria Sterling, you have been found guilty of primary counts of kidnapping, unlawful medical detention, conspiracy to commit fraud, and obstruction of justice. The court finds your actions to be of an exceptionally cruel and calculating nature, executed over nearly a decade against an innocent woman."

Victoria did not look up. A single tear rolled down her hollow cheek.

"It is the sentence of this court," the judge declared, slamming her gavel down with a sharp CRACK, "that you be remanded to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons for a period of thirty-five years, without the possibility of early parole."

Gasps rippled through the gallery.

The judge turned her gaze to Arthur Sterling. "Arthur Sterling, for your role as the architect of this financial and human conspiracy, you are sentenced to forty years in a maximum-security facility. Julian Sterling, for your role as an accessory to kidnapping, you are sentenced to fifteen years."

CRACK.

"Court is adjourned."

Federal marshals stepped forward, grabbing the arms of the Sterling family members and leading them through the side door toward the holding cells.

As Victoria was led away in handcuffs, she briefly paused, turning her head to look toward the gallery. Her eyes caught Ethan’s.

Ethan didn't look at her with anger. He didn't look at her with hatred. He simply looked at her with complete, unbothered indifference—as if she were a stranger who no longer held any power over his life.

Victoria was pulled through the heavy doors, and they clicked shut behind her, closing the door on the Sterling dynasty forever.

Lucy leaned her head against her father's shoulder as they walked out into the grand marble hallway of the courthouse. "Is it really over, Dad?"

Ethan put his arm around her waist, pulling her close as Samuel joined them. "The legal battle is over, sweetheart. Now the real work begins."