Chapter 19 - Justice Served Cold
Following Barrett’s escaped attempt, the federal court added another fifteen years to his sentence, transferring him to Supermax isolation in Colorado—a facility where he would spend twenty-three hours a day in a concrete cell with zero contact with the outside world.
Taryn Vance’s appeal was flatly denied, and she was ordered to serve her full eight-year term in state prison, completely ostracized by everyone she had ever known.
With the final threats completely erased, peace returned to our lives.
Dominic officially announced his complete retirement from all underworld business, dissolving his legacy enforcement structures and transferring ninety percent of his massive fortune into charitable foundations run by Studio Romano—building schools, women's shelters, and art institutes across the country.
One bright spring morning, my father and I stood in the middle of the completed Romano Memorial Park in Greenwich—the very site where the Hayes mansion had once stood.
The pale stone walls and dark basement were gone, replaced by lush green lawns, blooming cherry blossom trees, sparkling fountains, and a state-of-the-art children's playground. A beautiful bronze plaque stood at the entrance:
Dedicated to Hope, Resilience, and the Unbroken Spirit of Women.
"It's beautiful, star," Dominic said softly, looking around at children playing happily in the sunshine. "Much better than that cold stone house."
I looped my arm through my father's, leaning my head gently against his shoulder.
"Thank you, Dad," I whispered softly. "For coming to get me that night."
Dominic turned and kissed the top of my head, his eyes shining with rare emotional warmth.
"A father's job is to protect his child, Mallory," he murmured gently. "No matter how many years pass."
Julian walked up across the grass, holding two cups of coffee, wearing a bright, loving smile.
"Ready to go, beautiful?" Julian asked softly, handing me a cup. "We have a wedding venue to inspect in Paris."
I looked at Julian, then at my father, feeling an overwhelming wave of gratitude and joy wash over my heart.
"I'm ready," I said with a radiant smile.
May you like
We walked together out of the park, stepping into the bright, warm sunshine of a brand new day.
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