I stood, waiting.
"However, you've taken steps to legitimize your business operations. Your attorneys have presented evidence of substantial restructuring toward legal enterprises. And I believe the jury's verdict on conspiracy—not guilty—indicates they found credible your testimony about genuine feelings for Mr. Russo."
She looked at me directly.
"I'm sentencing you to eighteen months in a federal correctional facility, minimum security. You'll be eligible for early release after twelve months with good behavior. You'll report in thirty days."
Eighteen months. Could have been so much worse. Could have been the ten to fifteen years they'd threatened. But still—eighteen months. Twelve if I got early release.
Twelve months away from Valentino.
"Do you understand?" Judge Morrison asked.
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Both defendants are to have no contact with each other during Mr. Romano's incarceration, except for approved supervised visits. This court is adjourned."
The gavel banged one final time.
***
Thirty days.
We had thirty days before I had to report to the federal correctional facility in Pennsylvania. Thirty days to be together before a year apart.
We spent them like people drowning—clutching at every moment, trying to make each one count. Dinners with our family. Quiet nights at home. Long conversations about everything and nothing.
Making plans for when I got out. Valentino would visit every week. We'd write constantly. We'd get through this together.
"Twelve months," Valentino said one night, curled against my side. "If you get early release, twelve months."
"Twelve months," I agreed. "We can survive twelve months."
"Can we?"
"We survived the trial. We survived the verdict. We'll survive this too." I kissed the top of his head. "I love you. That doesn't change because I'm in prison. That doesn't change at all."
"I love you too. So much." He held me tighter. "I'll be here when you get out. I promise."
"I know you will. You'll wait for me."
"Always."
We fell asleep like that, holding onto each other, counting down the days until separation.
But also counting forward to reunion. Because this wasn't the end. This was just a chapter. A hard one, but one we'd get through.
Together, even when apart.
CHAPTER 19: VALENTINO
THE DRIVE TOthe federal correctional facility in Pennsylvania took three hours.
Three hours of holding Luca's hand. Three hours of trying not to cry. Three hours of pretending we were okay when we both knew we weren't.
"You don't have to come inside," Luca said as we pulled into the parking lot. "You can drop me off."
"I'm coming inside." My voice was firm. "I'm staying with you until the last possible moment."
