Daylight

Chapter Thirty-Five

The following day was medical and forensic evidence. The photos were grisly, but they made an impact. Ava hadn't been meant to survive this attack, it was clear. Javier had just made the mistake of leaving her alive. One that would cost him now that the world knew about it.

Closing statements were argued before the jury adjourned to make their ruling. There was no telling how long it would be before they decided on if Javier had intended to kill her or not, and as Ava sat beside Sebastian in a waiting area sectioned off for them, acid ate at her stomach.

Sebastian turned and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her temple. "Deep breaths, love. Deep breaths."

"The waiting... it's almost harder than the trial," she admitted, closing her eyes at his touch. "I'm waiting to find out if people believe me..."

"I watched the jury. They're supposed to keep cool and not react but most of them couldn't hold emotions back," he told her.

"You think?" she asked, turning her green eyes up to find his blue ones. "I couldn't watch them, I was too afraid of what I'd see."

Sebastian gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "I do," he assured.

"It's been two hours..." she muttered, her eyes turning to glance at the clock on the wall. Each minute felt like it was clicking by slowly.

"They don't want to miss anything," he told her before kissing her softly. "They might take their time, but it'll be okay."

She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder. "I'm so ready for this to be over," she sighed softly.

"You're getting your wish," her lawyer said as he appeared in the doorway. "They've made a decision. Time to go back in."

Ava sat up and swallowed hard, nodding. "Okay..."

Sebastian stood, keeping Ava's hand in his as they both followed her lawyer back into the courtroom. They both sat in their seats as the judge returned.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" the judge asked as the jury joined the courtroom.

"We have, your honor," the foreman replied.

"Please read it."

The foreman cleared his throat and began to read. "We the jury find the defendant guilty of the crime of attempted murder in the first degree."

The words took a moment to fully register for Ava, and she repeated them to herself before she felt weak in the knees. Thankfully she was sitting but she leaned into Sebastian as her free hand covered her lips for a moment.

Sebastian turned and wrapped his arms around Ava as tears ran down his cheeks. "You've done it baby, you have."

She felt her own tears sliding down her cheeks as her body shook slightly. She couldn't believe it. He was guilty, they had seen what he'd done to her. They believed her. "He'll go away forever..." she murmured to Sebastian.

"He'll never touch you or anyone else again," Sebastian assured.

She braced herself on his strong arms as she turned to look in Javier's direction finally. His dark eyes locked on her, and she held them, defiance in her own. He was done. She would not be quiet, not anymore.

"The defendant will be spending forty years to life in prison without parole," the Judge finished.

Ava nodded and smiled proudly before she turned away from Javier and back to Sebastian, throwing her arms around him. "It's over..."

Sebastian laughed as she hugged him tightly. "It's over."

"Court is now adjourned. Take the defendant back into custody," the judge declared before banging his gavel and ending the proceedings.