Chapter 14
Sentencing happened on a bright morning that felt almost rude.
The sun poured through courthouse windows.
People bought coffee across the street.
Life continued with offensive normalcy.
Derek stood in a gray suit.
No smile this time.
Patricia sat behind him, awaiting her own sentencing.
Suzanne cried beside her lawyer.
The judge allowed victim statements.
Natalie went first.
“You stole my name,” she said. “You made people mourn me while I was alive and afraid. You turned my survival into your paycheck.”
Derek stared at the table.
Elise spoke next.
Carmen after her.
Then me.
I walked to the podium with my scar uncovered.
“My name is Skylar Vale,” I said. “Soon it will be Skylar Bennett again. The morning Derek threw coffee at me, he said I could obey or leave. I left. That choice saved my life.”
My voice shook.
I kept going.
“He thought pain would teach me submission. Instead, it taught me the truth.”
I looked at Derek.
“I do not belong to you. My money does not belong to you. My home does not belong to you. My fear does not belong to you anymore.”
The judge sentenced Derek to prison.
Years.
Real years.
Patricia received prison time for fraud and conspiracy.
Suzanne received a shorter sentence with restitution and supervised release because she cooperated.
I did not feel clean joy.
Justice is not soap.
It does not wash away what happened.
But it stops the hand from reaching again.
Afterward, Olivia handed me the final divorce decree.
My name restored.
My apartment secured.
My accounts protected.
Natalie hugged me outside the courthouse.
“What now?” she asked.
I looked toward the bay.
“I go home.”
“Are you scared?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” she said softly. “Go anyway.”
So I did.
I unlocked my apartment alone.
The air inside was still.
May you like
Mine.
Completely mine.
