Chapter 135: Shattered
Diane’s POV
The courthouse steps felt endless as we descended, each step echoing the finality of what had just transpired.
Three years. Liam would be behind bars for three years, and Dylan and Danielle were finally, legally, completely mine. I should have felt victorious, but all I could manage was a hollow numbness that seemed to spread through my chest like ice water.
Dad appeared at my elbow as we reached the bottom of the steps, his face etched with concern. "Sweetheart, how are you holding up?"
I tried to smile, but my face felt frozen. "I’m fine, Dad. Just... processing everything."
"You don’t look fine," he said gently, studying my face with the intensity of someone who’d spent years learning to read people’s pain.
"None of this was easy. Seeing him like that..."
He didn’t need to finish. We both knew what he meant. Watching Liam crumble in that courtroom, seeing the complete destruction of someone I’d once loved, had carved something hollow inside me that victory couldn’t fill.
Noah’s arm tightened around my waist, his own struggle evident in the tension of his muscles. I could feel him fighting his own emotions, torn between relief for me and the children, and grief for his best friend’s spectacular fall from grace. He hadn’t said much since we left the courtroom, but I could see the war playing out behind his eyes.
"I’m going to follow you home," Dad announced, his tone brooking no argument. "I want to make sure you’re settled before I leave you alone with all this."
Joan appeared beside us, her professional mask slipping to reveal genuine exhaustion. "Henry had to leave for an emergency meeting, but I’m coming with you too. You shouldn’t be alone right now."