Everyone watched as Natalia and Amelia were led into the courtroom in prison clothes. The difference between them was striking. Amelia held her head high despite the visible marks on her skin, her eyes sharp and restless, while Natalia walked with slow steps, her blank gaze fixed on nothing.

Amelia’s injuries from the time she kidnapped herself had healed, but the time in custody had left its mark as they weren’t giving proper medical care. The faint scars along her arms and neck stood out against her pale skin. She looked worn, but not broken. If anything, there was something unhinged in the way her eyes moved across the room, as if she was daring anyone to look away.

Natasha felt her chest tighten when their eyes met. For a brief second, Amelia’s gaze locked onto hers, and the anger in it was raw. Natasha clenched her fist at her side, her nails digging into her palm as she forced herself not to look away first. Amelia acted as if the world wronged her.

Behind her, Natalia walked without reacting to anything around her. She could not see the way people stared, the quiet disgust, the murmurs that followed her every step. Her face remained calm, almost detached, as if she had already accepted whatever awaited her.

When they reached the defendant’s stand, Amelia’s attention shifted. Her eyes found Lucien and stayed there. There was something unsettled in her gaze, filled with complicated emotions that made Braelyn’s skin crawl. It was not just hatred. It was something far more tangled.

Amelia did not spare Braelyn a glance.

A guard nudged her when she refused to sit, she was forced down and she dropped into the chair with a sharp exhale, her fingers gripping the edge of the table.

"Court rise," the clerk announced.

Everyone stood as the judge entered and took her seat. The room settled again once she gave a brief nod.

The judge’s eyes moved across the courtroom before resting on the defendants. There was no softness in her expression.

This case was tight. Under normal circumstances Amelia and Natalia were meant to be given death sentence but the prosecutor argued they were mentally insane. The judge wasn’t new and knew that higher Influence planned something worse than death for them.

"This court is now in session." She adjusted the file in front of her and spoke clearly.

"Today marks the final hearing of Miss Amelia Sinclair and Mrs Natalia Volkova, who stand accused of multiple offences including intentional homicide, conspiracy, assault, and related crimes. The primary victims include the late Mr Raphael Volkov, Mr Richard Wright, Miss Nadia Orlov and Mrs Braelyn Volkov, among others."

A quiet tension settled in the room.

"A final decision has been reached. Before this court proceeds, do either party’s legal representatives have anything further to present?"

Both legal teams stood almost in unison.

"No, Your Honour," they replied.

The judge gave a small nod and continued.

"On this Wednesday, the 14th of April, 2027, this court delivers its final judgement."

The air in the room seemed to thin.

Natasha tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand. Beside her, Ronan remained still, his expression unreadable as always. Lucien sat with his gaze fixed ahead, calm in a way that suggested he had already anticipated the outcome.

"After reviewing all evidence, testimonies, and arguments presented by both sides, this court finds that Mrs Natalia Volkova was not mentally sound at the time of her actions and therefore cannot be held fully accountable in the same capacity as a legally competent individual."

A faint smile appeared on Natalia’s lips. It was subtle, but it was there. The prosecutors were the ones who argued she were mentally unstable. This was the Orlovs plan

"The court therefore sentences Mrs Natalia Volkova to indefinite rehabilitation in a secured mental health facility for her role in conspiracy and accessory to the murder of Mr Raphael Volkov and Miss Nadia Orlov, along with her involvement in related offences."

There was a ripple through the courtroom, quickly suppressed. The judge continued without pause.

"Miss Amelia Sinclair is found to be mentally competent and fully aware of her actions. She is therefore found guilty on multiple counts including intentional homicide, blackmail, defamation, and assault."

Amelia’s fingers tightened against the table.

"She is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole."

The final words settled like a weight.

"This is the judgement of the court. Any appeal may be directed to a higher court as per legal procedure." the gavel came down as the judge gave her final words.

"Court rise."

The judge stood and exited, leaving the room in a heavy silence that lingered for a moment longer than expected.

Natalia’s body seemed to give way. She slumped slightly in her chair, her head lowering further. She did not protest or react. There was no struggle or denial as if she had already walked this path in her mind long before stepping into the courtroom.

Natasha sat frozen, her eyes fixed ahead as tears slipped down her cheeks without her noticing. She did not move to wipe them this time.

Ronan adjusted his suit jacket and stood. Without looking back, he walked out of the courtroom.

For a moment, Amelia did not react. It was as if the words had not fully reached her yet. Then something in her expression snapped.

"What?" she let out under her breath as her voice rose. "No... no, this is wrong."

The guards moved closer as she stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor.

"You think this is over?" she shouted, her voice breaking as she struggled against the hold on her arms.

Her eyes found Braelyn..Everything in her seemed to focus into that single point.

She lunged forward.

Lucien moved before anyone else could react. He stepped in front of Braelyn, his arm coming around her as he pulled her back. The guards restrained Amelia quickly, but she continued to struggle, her voice turning sharp and desperate.

"You think you won, Lynn?" she screamed. "You are not lucky. Do you hear me? If I cannot have them, you will never have peace."

Braelyn stiffened at the words, but Lucien tightened his hold, pulling her closer.

"Do not listen to her," he said quietly, his voice firm. He covered her ears from Amelia’s shrieks.

He guided her away from the scene, not giving Amelia another glance.

Behind them, her voice continued to echo through the courtroom as she was dragged away, her words losing coherence, turning into raw, broken noise.

They passed Yelena and Kirill on their way out. Both gave a brief nod, acknowledging the end of something that had gone on for far too long.

Outside, the noise of the media surged forward, cameras flashing, voices calling out questions.

Lucien did not slow down. He kept Braelyn close, shielding her as they moved through the crowd.

She did not look back. This Chapter was over.