After the Thorns Chapter 08
After that day, my parents and Vanessa each returned to the hospital many times.
Fortunately, I had already instructed the guards that I would see none of them.
That bought me several quiet days.
By the time I had fully recovered, Mason’s judgment had been issued.
That afternoon, General Rowland came to my hospital room personally with a document in his hand.
He skipped the formalities, handed it to me, and summarized the result.
“Mason Reckitt received twelve years in state and federal custody for aggravated assault, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, false reporting, and related offenses.
“His company has also been seized and placed into liquidation over tax fraud and illegal business practices.”
I accepted the thin document, but it felt impossibly heavy.
Twelve years. Exactly four times the sentence I had served for him.
The law had finally given me justice.
“What about Vanessa?” I asked calmly.
“She was charged as a participant in the frame-up and for destroying evidence. Because she’s pregnant and poses no flight risk, she was released pending trial, but the record will follow her.
“Her professional future is effectively gone.”
A trace of grim satisfaction appeared in General Rowland’s eyes.
“As for your parents, their favoritism is not itself a crime. But they used most of their assets to repay money connected to Mason’s company. Their retirement will not be comfortable.”
I nodded. I felt no thrill of revenge, only the exhaustion that follows a long storm.
“Thank you, General Rowland.”
He patted my shoulder.
“Don’t thank me. This is what you were owed.
“Keep recovering. West Point has preserved your placement and records. When you’re medically cleared, you’ll finally begin as a cadet.”
After he left, I sat alone for a long time.
Sunlight passed through the window and warmed the room, like a glimpse of the future opening before me.
A few days later, I completed my discharge paperwork.
Outside the hospital entrance, I saw a figure who was both familiar and strangely distant.
It was Vanessa.
She wore a loose maternity dress, and her complexion looked sallow.
The moment she saw me, she hurried over unsteadily.
The brightness that once filled her eyes had been replaced by desperation.
“Julian!”
She blocked my path, her voice hoarse.
“Please. Go back to General Rowland and ask him to help Mason.
“He’ll never survive twelve years in prison.
“You know what kind of people are locked up in there.”
I let out a bitter laugh.
“And during the three years I served, did prison contain different people?
“Besides, I’ve severed every connection with the Reckitt family.
“Whatever happens to Mason inside has nothing to do with me.”
Vanessa grabbed my arm in agitation.
“Of course it has something to do with you!
“If you hadn’t insisted on taking this all the way, he’d never have been arrested.
“You know Mason was sheltered his entire life. How can he endure prison? You’re killing him!”
I tore my arm from her grip so forcefully that she staggered.
“Vanessa, have you forgotten who tried to destroy me three years ago?”
I stepped closer, my gaze cold.
“When you pushed me into that nightmare, did you ever ask whether I could endure it?
“When you shared a bed with him and sold my engagement ring to finance his company, did you once think about whether I lived or died?”
