Chapter 177
Marcus’s POV
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The sentencing hearing was scheduled for two weeks after the verdict. Marcus spent those fourteen days in a strange state of suspended animation, going through the motions of daily life while his mind remained stuck in that courtroom.
Penelope had been found guilty on all counts. Vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, obstruction of justice. The jury had deliberated for two days and come back with a verdict that should have felt like victory.
But Marcus just felt empty.
He went to work, came home, played with the twins, had dinner with Elara. Everything continued as normal except nothing felt normal anymore.
“You’re allowed to feel relieved,” Elara said one night as they lay in bed. “The woman who killed your mother is going to prison. That’s what you wanted.”
“I know. And I am relieved. But I also keep thinking about all the years she stole. From my mother, from my father, from me. A prison sentence doesn’t give those back.”
“No. But it means she can’t hurt anyone else.”
Marcus pulled Elara closer, breathing in the scent of her shampoo. “I just want it to be over. I want to stop thinking about Penelope and my mother’s death and all of it. I want to focus on our family and our future.”
“Soon. After sentencing, it’ll really be over.”
The day of sentencing arrived very cold and gray, the kind of January morning that made Marcus want to stay in bed. But he got up, put on another suit, and drove to the courthouse with Elara beside him.
The courtroom was less crowded this time. Just family, a few reporters, and the necessary legal personnel. Penelope was brought in wearing the same orange jumpsuit, her hair pulled back severely from her face.
She looked older. Prison had aged her in ways that went beyond physical appearance. There was a hardness to her now that hadn’t been there before, like whatever softness she’d once possessed had been stripped away entirely.
The judge entered and everyone stood.
“We’re here today for sentencing in the matter of The People versus Penelope Thorne. Mrs. Thorne, you’ve been found guilty of vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, and obstruction of justice. Before I pronounce this sentence, do you have anything you’d like to say?”
Penelope stood slowly. Marcus expected her to maintain the remorseful act her lawyer had pushed during trial. Expected tears and apologies and pleas for mercy.
But when she spoke, her voice was filled with venom and unapologetic.
17:09 Mon, May 11 M…
Chapter 177
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“I made choices fifteen years ago that I can’t take back. I’ve lived with those choices every day since. I don’t expect forgiveness and I’m not asking for it. I accept whatever sentence this court deems appropriate”
That was it. No emotion, no remorse, nothing that indicated she felt even a shred of guilt for what she’d done.
The judge’s expression hardened. “Mrs. Thorne, I’ve reviewed the evidence in this case and I’ve read the victim impact statements. What strikes me most is not just the crime you committed, but the callousness with which you’ve lived your life since. You killed a woman and then married her widowed husband. You integrated yourself into the family you destroyed and spent years trying to take even more from them.”
Penelope didn’t flinch.
“The sentencing guidelines for vehicular manslaughter allow for a range of fifteen to twenty-five years. Given the aggravating factors in this case, including your attempts to profit from your crime and your complete lack of remorse, I’m sentencing you to twenty-five years to life in state prison.”
Marcus felt Elara grip his hand. Twenty-five years. Penelope would be seventy-eight years old before she’d even be eligible for parole.
“Additionally,” the judge continued, “I’m ordering you to pay restitution to the Thorne family in the amount of three million dollars for the emotional and financial damages your actions caused. Do you understand this sentence?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Then this court is adjourned.”
The bailiffs moved to take Penelope away. She stood without resistance, her face completely blank. As she passed Marcus’s row she looked directly at him one final time.
“Your mother fought for your father,” she said quietly, just loud enough for Marcus to hear. “I fought harder. That’s the only difference between us.”
Then she was gone, led through the doors toward whatever prison bus would transport her to begin serving her sentence.
Marcus sat frozen, those last words echoing in his head. Penelope still believed she’d done nothing wrong. Still saw herself as someone who’d simply wanted something and taken it, no different from his mother fighting to keep her marriage.
“Let it go,” Dante said from behind him. “She’s trying to get under your skin one last time. Don’t let her, don’t give her the satisfaction.”
Marcus stood slowly, feeling like he’d been holding his breath for weeks and could finally exhale. “I want to visit my mother’s grave. I need to tell her it’s over.”
They drove to the cemetery that afternoon, Marcus and Elara with the twins bundled in their car seats. The last time Marcus had been here was for his father’s reconciliation visit months ago, and before that it had been years.
Catherine Thorne’s headstone was simple gray marble with her name and dates carved in elegant script. Someone had left fresh flowers recently, probably Richard.
17:09 Mon, May 11 M…
Chapter 177
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Marcus stood in front of the grave holding Catherine while Elara held Alexander. The babies were quiet, looking around at the trees and grass with wide curious eyes.
“Hi Mom,” Marcus said softly. “Sorry it’s been so long. I brought some people to meet you,”
He knelt down carefully, positioning Catherine so she could see the headstone even though she was too young to understand.
“This is your granddaughter. We named her after you. Catherine Rose. She’s stubborn and determined and I think you would have loved her.” Marcus felt his voice catch. “And this is Alexander. He’s going to be trouble, I can already tell. Gets that from his mother.”
Elara smiled through her tears.
“Penelope got sentenced today. Twenty-five years to life. She’ll die in prison, which is what she deserves for what she did to you.” Marcus traced his finger over his mother’s name on the headstone. “I’m sorry it took so long. I’m sorry I didn’t know the truth for fifteen years. But it’s over now. You can rest.”
They stayed for a while, Marcus telling his mother about his life. About the company, about meeting Elara, about the chaos and joy of having twins. All the things she should have been there for but wasn’t.
When they finally left, Marcus felt lighter somehow. The closure he’d been searching for had finally arrived.
They were almost to the car when Elara’s phone rang. Mimi’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hey Mimi, what’s up?”
“Are you sitting down? Because I have news and you’re going to lose your mind.” She said from the loud speaker.
“I’m standing in a cemetery, so probably not the best place for shocking announcements.”
“Too bad, I can’t hold it in anymore.” Mimi’s voice was practically vibrating with excitement. “Dante proposed last night and I said yes! We’re engaged!”
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