They were arrested beneath white wedding flowers.

Six months later, my conviction was officially erased. The prosecutor publicly apologized. Vivian accepted a plea deal and still received prison time for conspiracy and perjury.

Marcus got nine years.

And Vale Medical Logistics returned to me.

I rebuilt the company slowly, honestly, and stronger than before.

One year after my release, I stood on the balcony of Vale Tower watching the sunrise spill gold across the city skyline.

Celeste handed me a cup of coffee.

“Do you finally feel free?” she asked.

I stared at the light reflecting against the glass towers below.

“No,” I answered softly.

“I feel whole.”

And somewhere behind prison walls, Marcus finally understood the truth:

He had never imprisoned a weak woman.

He had locked a queen inside a library and given her two years to prepare for war.