“For all of you,” I continue.
I turn around to face the court, away from the widening eyes of my so-called stepsister. “For being taken in so damneasily.”
I spin back to Ella. She’s gaping at me, the tears vanishing. “And I am truly sorry,” I call out, my voice steady and sure. “To have ever had someone as manipulative and psychotic as you in my life. My crazy, deluded, lyingbitchof a stepsister.”
“That’s enough,” Crispin chokes out, but I’m not done.
If I only have one opportunity, I’m making the fucking most of it.
“One day,” I say to him loudly, “you will realize who she truly is. And even if I’m not here to see it, I hope that it bites you in thefuckingass.”
The room erupts. Ella collapses back into her seat and Crispin leans over her, fanning her face frantically. “Sweetheart. Can you hear me?”
I’m surrounded by idiots. Ella, clearly faking her little fainting fit, begins to cry as Crispin roars for silence.
I don’t believe for a minute that he would have given me an easier sentence.
“You wanted to see me on my knees,” I throw at her as she sits up. “But I will see you in hell before I ever beg you for a single fucking thing,sister.”
Fuck, it feels good to see the look on her face. The embarrassment, as she glances around the room.
I’m not playing into her games for a second longer. Even if it’s probably the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.
I take a breath, staying silent as Crispin finally gets the room under control, everyone settling in to listen avidly to what he has to say in response.
“You dare to throw this back in our faces,” he says finally. His voice shakes as he clears his throat. “Very well. I have made my decision.”
I wait. I don’t know much about the execution laws in Sorelle. They don’t take place often, and normally behind closed doors.
I hope they make it quick.
“In the interest of my fiancée,” Crispin says finally, “I willnotbe sentencing you to death, although I doubt anyone here would dispute it if I did.”
Ella twists her head to stare at him. “What?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Imprisonment isn’t much better, in my opinion. Not with Parrish in there with me.
He leans over to pat her hand, but he doesn’t respond before he turns back to me. Ella faces me too, a scowl spreading over her face that I can see her fighting to wipe away.
“However,” he continues. “Punishment must be severe. And so I sentence you, Anastasia Cooper, to twenty years of imprisonment.”
The words hit me like a sledgehammer, and I sway.
Twentyyears.
Two decades of my life. I’ll be forty-five when I’m released. If I even make it that far.
“Your sentence will be served under house arrest.”
My head jerks up.House arrest?
At this point, I’m certain Ella and I have matching looks of confusion on our faces, as Crispin leans forward. “You will serve out your sentence away from the public eye, under the close watch of three of my most…trustedmen. You will receive the same treatment that you gave to your sister, and you will work to earn your keep at Oakbourne Manor.”
Wait.
Oakbourne Manor.
The thrones in front of me swim hazily as a wave of cold sweeps over my skin, leaving numbness in its wake.
