Wedcuffed

Chapter 61

Sarah's POV

The office was quiet as I leaned back in my chair, staring at the skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. My fingers traced the edge of the armrest, a habit I'd developed whenever I found myself reflecting on the chaos of the past year. I had fought tooth and nail to get here, to rebuild what Adrian had tried to break, and now, with Alessandro's support, I was stronger than ever. My company was no longer just surviving—it was thriving.

A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Alessandro stepped in a calm and reassuring presence amidst the whirlwind of my life. His eyes met mine with that steady, grounding look that had become my anchor.

"Ready for the meeting?" he asked, his voice warm yet professional.

I nodded, standing up and smoothing the front of my blazer. "More than ready."

Months of struggle had brought me here. When Adrian had manipulated me, and used my vulnerability to take advantage of me." I'd felt trapped. But things had changed. I wasn't the same vulnerable person he once knew. With Alessandro's help, I'd built a fortress around myself—one of determination, growth, and, most importantly, self-respect.

Alessandro approached, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You've got this. You've built this company back up, and no one—not Adrian, not anyone—is going to take it from you again."

I smiled at him, the warmth in his words easing the lingering anxiety I still felt from time to time. "I know. Let's do this."

The meeting was a success, just as it had been for the past several months. With every new partnership and every expansion plan, my business was growing faster than I had ever dreamed. The investors saw strength in me now, a far cry from the days when I was overshadowed by Adrian's dominance. I walked out of the conference room with a sense of pride that was entirely my own.

Alessandro caught up with me in the hallway, a small smile playing on his lips. "You were brilliant in there."

"Thank you," I replied, meeting his gaze. "I couldn't have done this without you."

He shook his head. "You did this, Sarah. I just helped you see what you were capable of."

His words stayed with me as the day wore on. It was true; I had fought for this. I had faced my trauma, my fears, and the ghost of what Adrian had done to me. I'd endured sleepless nights and therapy sessions that had broken me down to my core, only to rebuild me into someone stronger. The woman I had become would not have crumbled under the weight of Adrian's manipulations.

The following week, I walked into the courthouse, my heels clicking against the polished marble floors. Today marked the beginning of Adrian's trial, and the courtroom was packed, the air heavy with anticipation. I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves as I made my way to the front.

Adrian was already seated at the defendant's table, his face pale and drawn. The sight of him did stir something in me—a flicker of the old fear he used to wield so effortlessly. But as his eyes met mine, I saw it for what it was: a hollow, desperate attempt to reclaim control that he no longer had.

I took my seat, Alessandro close by, his presence offering a quiet strength. He didn't need to say anything; I knew he was there for me, supporting me just as he had done throughout this entire ordeal.

The trial began, and the prosecutor laid out the charges against Adrian in painstaking detail. Fraud, embezzlement, coercion—the list went on, each accusation hammering another nail into the coffin of his former life. I listened as witness after witness testified, recounting their experiences with him. Then, my turn came.