Part 8
The next few days passed in a blur of legal proceedings and medical checkups.
The news of Carmen and Javier's arrest exploded across the city's social and business circles.
The headlines were brutal.
"Prominent Businesswoman and Son Arrested for Extortion and Abuse of New Bride."
The public outrage was immediate.
Carmen's remaining business partners scrambled to cut ties with her, completely destroying what was left of her reputation.
Sofia stayed at my apartment, slowly regaining her strength.
The physical swelling on her face began to go down, replaced by a quiet, fierce determination.
She was no longer the frightened girl who had collapsed into my arms.
One afternoon, Alexander came over with a stack of legal documents.
He sat down on the couch next to Sofia, placing the papers on the coffee table.
"These are the annulment papers," he said gently.
"Because the marriage was entered under extreme duress and criminal activity, the judge has fast-tracked the process."
"By tomorrow morning, you will legally no longer be married to Javier."
"It will be as if it never happened."
Sofia looked at the papers, a single tear escaping her eye, but she quickly wiped it away.
"Thank you, Dad," she whispered. "For everything."
"You don't need to thank me, Sofia," Alexander said, his voice cracking slightly with emotion.
"I should have protected you from them from the very beginning. I should have seen through them."
"We both should have," I added, sitting on her other side and wrapping my arms around her.
"But they are going to pay for what they did. Every single day for the rest of their lives."
Alexander nodded grimly.
"The District Attorney is refusing any plea deals," he explained.
"With the evidence we provided, Carmen is looking at a minimum of ten years in a maximum-security prison."
"Javier is looking at five to seven for his role as an accomplice."
"Their assets are being liquidated to pay off their debts, and whatever is left will be seized as part of the civil lawsuit I filed on Sofia's behalf."
"They will leave prison with absolutely nothing."
Sofia looked up, a sense of peace finally washing over her face.
"I want to go see him," she said suddenly.
Alexander and I exchanged worried glances.
"Sofia, I don't think that's a good idea," I said gently. "You need to rest."
May you like
"No, Mom," Sofia said, her voice firmer than I had heard it in months.
"I need to look Javier in the eye one last time. I need him to know that he didn't break me."
