Leo stared at him, trying to wrap his head around what that meant. "So, we just wait?"

Zayden’s voice stayed calm. "We’ve done what we need to do. Now it’s on her."

A moment of silence passed while Leo glanced away. But Zayden kept his eyes on him, studying him. Then he said, "You like her."

It wasn’t really a question, and Leo didn’t say anything.

Zayden let out a quiet breath. "Yeah, figured as much."

Silence stretched before Zayden added, "You’ll have to be patient."

Leo shot him a look. "Patient?"

"She’s not getting out of this tomorrow. Best case... she cooperates, keeps her head down, and doesn’t stir up trouble—"

"She won’t," Leo interrupted a bit too fast.

Zayden gave him a knowing look but carried on. "If she plays her cards right, they might shorten her sentence. A few years, maybe less."

Leo’s jaw tightened. "That’s still years."

"I know." Zayden stepped closer and lowered his voice. "But it won’t last forever. I’ll do what I can to make sure they don’t hit her with the harshest penalty."

Leo looked away and exhaled slowly.

Zayden pressed on. "You’re going to have to wait. That’s just how it is." He paused and asked, "So, can you handle that?"

Leo met his gaze, held it, and answered with one word.

"Yeah."

Zayden nodded, believing him. "Alright, get ready. We’re leaving in an hour."

*****

The building was huge, with stone columns, tall ceilings, and American flags, designed to feel intimidating.

Zayden and Leo went through security, walking through metal detectors, showing their IDs, and getting their bags checked... just routine procedure.

They headed to Courtroom 5, which was on the second floor of the east wing.

The hallway was busy with people: lawyers in suits, families waiting around, and officers keeping watch.

Leo scanned the crowd, looking for her... she wasn’t there yet.

They stepped into the courtroom, which had wood-paneled walls and rows of benches, with an empty judge’s bench at the front.

When Leo sat down, he couldn’t help but bounce his leg.

Zayden noticed but said nothing, just watched.

Ten minutes went by.

The courtroom started filling up with prosecutors, defense lawyers, and court staff.

Then the side door opened. Two federal officers walked in, and in between them was Selina.

Leo felt his breath catch.

She looked really worn out, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, hands cuffed in front of her, hair pulled back, and no makeup on. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying as she walked slowly with her head down.

The officers guided her to the defendant’s table. Then she looked up, scanned the room, and locked eyes with him... Leo. In that moment, everything else faded away.

She didn’t smile; it just wasn’t possible. But her eyes said it all.

I’m sorry.

I’m scared.

Please don’t leave me.

Leo straightened up in his seat and nodded once, slowly and purposefully.

A silent message, "I’m here. Everything will be okay. I’m not going anywhere."

Selina let out a breath, feeling some of the tension ease from her shoulders. Then her gaze moved to Zayden, who was sitting beside Leo and watching her calmly. Her expression changed.

A question appeared in her eyes: "What’s going to happen to me?"

Zayden held her gaze and nodded, subtle but clear.

"Trust me. You’ll be fine."

Selina swallowed, looked away, and sat down at the defendant’s table.

The officers took off her handcuffs, stepped back, and hung around nearby. Her lawyer leaned over to whisper something in her ear. She nodded but didn’t glance back at Leo. She couldn’t; if she did, she’d fall apart. A bailiff walked in and stood at the front.

"All rise."

Everyone got up, and the side door opened.

The judge entered. She was a woman in her mid-fifties with gray hair pulled into a bun and sharp eyes that showed she meant business. She sat down at the bench.

"Be seated."

Everyone sat back down.

The judge opened a file, checked out the papers, and then looked at Selina.

"The defendant will stand."

Selina stood with her lawyer beside her. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The judge said, "Selina Vargas, you’re charged with conspiracy to commit human trafficking, money laundering, and obstruction of justice."

There was a brief silence.

"How do you plead?"

Selina’s voice was barely audible. "Guilty, Your Honor."

The judge nodded and made a note. "The court recognizes the defendant’s guilty plea. Counsel, does the defendant want to say anything?"

Selina’s lawyer replied, "Yes, Your Honor. My client would like to speak to the court."

The judge waved her hand, signaling her to go ahead.

Selina took a deep breath, looked down at her hands, and then back up at the judge.

"I—" Her voice wavered, and she cleared her throat. "I know what I did was wrong. I knew it then, and I know it now."

After a moment, she added, "I let fear take over. I let him control me. Because of that, people got hurt."

Tears began to fill her eyes.

"I can’t take it back. I can’t undo the damage. But I can be honest, and I can accept what comes next."

She looked at the judge, her gaze confident now.

"I’ve worked closely with the FBI. I’ve handed over all the records, accounts, and names. Everything I know, I’ve given to them."

Pause.

"I don’t expect to be forgiven. I know I don’t deserve it. But I’m ready to do whatever it takes to fix this."

The courtroom was silent.

The judge looked at her carefully before glancing over at the prosecutor.

"Does the government have a recommendation?" she asked.

The prosecutor stood up. He was a middle-aged guy in a gray suit with tired eyes.

"Yes, Your Honor. The defendant has been extremely cooperative in our ongoing investigation. Her cooperation has led to several arrests and the recovery of a lot of valuable assets."

Pause.

"The government recommends a sentence of five years in federal custody."

The judge nodded and then directed his attention to the defense.

"Counsel?"

Selina’s lawyer stood.

"Your Honor, my client was just as much a victim as she was involved. She lived in fear for years, always feeling threatened. We ask the court to take her situation into account—"

The judge held up a hand. "I’ve looked over the details and the defendant’s cooperation."

Pause.

She looked at Selina. "Please stand."

Selina stood up, shaking a bit.

The judge addressed her. "Selina Vargas, you’ve committed serious crimes. These actions have genuinely harmed real people, and you need to be held accountable."

Pause.

"However, the court also sees your cooperation, your willingness to testify, and your efforts to make things right."

Another pause, this one longer.

"Taking into account your cooperation and the context of your involvement, the court sentences you to five years in federal custody."

Selina’s knees went weak for a moment, and her lawyer helped steady her.

The judge went on, "You will be eligible for early release based on your conduct while in custody. This court is adjourned."

With a bang of the gavel, it was all done.

The officers moved in and cuffed Selina’s hands again.

She turned to take one last look at Leo. He was right there, watching her.

Without thinking, she took a step towards him.

The officer grabbed her arm. "Hey—"

Zayden stood up and approached, speaking softly to the officer. "Give them a moment."

The officer recognized him and hesitated: Zayden Cole Virelli, the guy who took down Alpha Dark.

After a quick pause, the officer glanced at his partner, who nodded. The officer took off Selina’s cuffs. "One minute. That’s it."

Selina wasted no time, walking straight over to Leo, who met her halfway. She fell into his arms, and he held her tightly, like she had nothing left holding her up.

She buried her face in his chest, sobbing hard and feeling completely broken.

Leo stayed quiet; he just held her and stroked her hair, letting her cry it out.

After a bit, she pulled back a little and looked up at him, her eyes red and her face wet.

"I’m sorry," she whispered. "For everything. For not being strong enough to leave sooner."

Leo shook his head. "You don’t have to say sorry."

"I really do. I should have—"

"Stop." His voice was gentle but firm. "What’s done is done. You can’t change it, but you’re making the right choice now. That’s what counts."

She nodded, tears still streaming down her face.

"Five years..." she whispered, like the words didn’t feel real. "That’s a really long time."

"I know."

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t let it show.

"What if—" Her voice wavered.