The Night I Was Saved

Chapter Fifty-Three

"Based on the delivered evidence from the crime scene, the testimonies of the victim, and testimonies of witnesses, I find the suspect, Mr. Leonard Charles Blissford, guilty on charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. I hereby sentence you to life imprisonment without parole."

On each side of me, Gigi and Florence immediately throw their arms around me, engulfing me in their embraces. I, on the other hand, can't move. I'm frozen in my seat as I repeat the words of the judge in my head.

Guilty. Life imprisonment. Without parole.

And although I have so many questions still, the one thing that's coming through as we speak is that I won. He lost. Finally and after everything he did, he lost.

"You did amazing Jo," Gigi whispers while she squeezes my arm, successfully pulling me back to what's happening around me. I see how Leonard is taken away by two policemen, and for the first time, I dare to look at him, searching for that eye contact that made me tremble every other time before.

And as if he feels my gaze, he looks up. Our eyes connect, and I immediately feel how the tables have turned. I don't look away, and I try to tell him everything I want to say with just one look.

I won.

I've survived.

I will live.

You don't own me anymore.

And then, he's the first one that looks away. He bows his head, his gaze straight to the floor while he follows the men that will take him to his residence for the rest of his life; prison.

When he's out of sight, I blow out the breath I didn't know I was holding. I feel light-headed, the urge to scream and yell overwhelming. I want to climb on the table and throw my arms in the air, singing in euphoric tones that I've won.

Gigi and Florence are now congratulating each other and behind me, I hear whispers along the same lines. And when I turn around, I see him. Hero, looking at me with an expression that oozes relief and mostly; pride.

Next to him, Titan and George are hugging each other in victory, but he isn't giving them any attention. He's only looking at me, waiting for me to come to him. And it's all I want to do.

I ignore Gigi and Florence, frankly ignoring everyone around me as I make my way toward him. And when I'm close enough, his arms catch me, holding me against him while I bury my face in the crook of his neck. His head is bowed, his lips touching my ear as he whispers words that are only meant for me to hear.

"I'm so proud of you, love. So fucking proud. You did it. You're so strong. You won. I love you." His words are a chaotic mess, but I understand them perfectly. He's saying everything I'm thinking, and by that, he's once again proving how deep he's into this, with me.

Around us, I hear how the press is taking pictures of us. Even though Hero's pressed my head against him, I still see the flashes that the cameras inflict. This morning, the idea of the press made me nervous, but right now I couldn't care less that they are here. The only thing I care about is that Leonard is gone.

"Without parole means..?" I whisper against Hero's neck.

At this, Hero lifts his head as he pulls mine away from him so he can look at me. He shakes his head, his hands finding my cheeks. "Don't worry, love. He's not going anywhere other than behind bars for the rest of his life. You'll never see him again. He'll never come near you or Dais. You're safe. You're free."

His words are a huge relief, and the only thing I can think of is kissing him. And although there are people around us and we have zero privacy, I don't care. I just do what feels right; I wrap my arms around his neck and slam my lips against his, taking him by complete surprise.