Chapter 7 - Justice is Served
The jury took less than two hours to reach a verdict.
"On the first count of attempted first-degree murder, how do you find?" the judge asked.
"We find the defendant, Patricia Mercer, guilty," the jury foreperson announced clearly.
"On the second count of aggravated domestic battery causing permanent bodily harm to a fetus, how do you find?"
"Guilty."
"On the third count of grand larceny..."
Every single count was a resounding guilty. Patricia sank into her chair, her face completely vacant of life. She had thought her status, her elite social circles, and her manipulation would save her. But against the absolute truth—and the immense power of the Sterling family—she was nothing but a common criminal.
Two weeks later, the sentencing hearing was held. The judge did not show an ounce of mercy.
"Patricia Mercer, your actions on that rainy night showed a complete and utter lack of human decency, morality, and compassion," the judge stated, looking down at her over his glasses. "You attempted to end the life of a young woman and an unborn child out of pure, unadulterated greed and malice. I hereby sentence you to twenty-five years in the state penitentiary, without the possibility of parole until you have served at least eighty percent of your sentence."
Patricia was led away in handcuffs, sobbing and screaming for Julian, but Julian didn't even look up as she was dragged through the side doors toward the prison transport.
Outside the courthouse, a sea of reporters surrounded my father and me. Flashbulbs blinded the afternoon air.
"Miss Sterling! How do you feel about the verdict?!" a reporter shouted, thrusting a microphone into my face. "Do you have any comments for your ex-husband, Julian Mercer?!"
I stopped on the courthouse steps, looking out at the crowd. I felt a profound sense of peace. The weight that had been crushing my chest for the past two years was completely gone.
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"Justice has been served," I said clearly into the microphones. "My son and I are moving forward. As for the Mercer family, they no longer exist to us. My name is Clara Sterling, and my focus is entirely on the future of my child and the medical foundation that saved our lives."
With that, my father opened the door to our private limousine, and we slid inside, leaving the chaos of the media behind us.
