Chapter 39
The next day, Robert called to tell me that Jhonatan had presented the evidence, which matched what I had, and he was already moving forward. In about a week, everything would be ready and—most importantly—James’s name would be cleared.
Being a judge has its perks—you can get things done faster.
I hope it really does take just a week, because I’m dying to see Amy.
She’s even more beautiful pregnant. Thinking of her, I call the security guard to check if everything’s okay.
He says she hasn’t gone out today, so I ask him to let me know if anything changes.
Ellie won’t stop talking about “Li,” as she calls her. They formed a mother-daughter bond, and before I threw her out—something I bitterly regret—we were living like a happy family.
Everything was so perfect. I remember all the things we used to do—outings, cooking, picnics. We often put Ellie to bed together. But it’s over now. I just wish she had been honest with me, though now I understand why she wasn’t, and I think I would have done the same.
I shake my head, snapping out of my reverie.
I need to work. I have a hearing today and some urgent matters at the office, so that’s where I’m heading first. I try to resolve everything as quickly as possible, but I finish late.
I order a sandwich to eat right there and head straight to the courthouse.
It was an exhausting day—long, complex cases—but we resolved them all. We put some criminals behind bars. That’s my job, and I’ve always done it perfectly, studying each case from start to finish to avoid any mistakes.
The week flew by with all the work I had—I barely noticed time passing. As for Amélie, the security guard said she went out a few times by car, always with someone, so I felt more at ease. Next week, I’ll have the papers in hand and go talk to her.
Over the weekend, I tried to spend as much time as possible with my daughter—she needs affection and attention too.
After Amélie left, I didn’t hire anyone else.
Now the household staff and Mama help me with her, which gives me some peace of mind.
And I do my job as a father, trying to give her as much attention as I can when I’m home.
On Monday, I left home early to meet Robert. When I arrived at his office, the secretary greeted me, saying he was already waiting and I could go right in.
“Good morning, Robert.”
“Anxious for these papers,” he said, placing a folder in front of me.
“Is everything in order?” I asked, already opening it and reading.
“As you requested. After analyzing the evidence, he wasn’t at fault in his accident, so I processed the rehabilitation and already notified the relevant authorities.”
“Good to know. Have you told Jhonatan yet?”
“No, my secretary will contact him this afternoon to pick up the papers.”
“Excellent, but either way, I’m going to her house. Thanks for all your help. Now I’m going to do the right thing—let them know and ask for her forgiveness.”
I say goodbye and leave. I get in the car and tell Marcus to head straight to her house. I know she went for a walk today, but she got back a few minutes ago, so I’m going directly there.
When I arrive at her door, I feel nervous—a sensation I’ve never experienced before.
I was raised strictly by my father, who always demanded that I do the right thing and never be afraid of anything.
That’s why I chose this profession, the same as his, and after some time, I was selected to judge criminal cases—without pity for the accused.
I stop in front of the gate and look at the house through the car window, then decide to get out. That’s when the door opens and she comes out, wearing an enormous sweatshirt—probably to hide her belly—and walks toward me.
“What do you want here?”
“Hi, Amélie.” I try to keep my voice calm, but it doesn’t help. “I came to—” She doesn’t let me finish.
“I know what you came here to do, Doctor, but you didn’t need to bother. After all, my father’s lawyer also filed the request.”
“I know, but I came to apologize.”
“Apologies mean nothing to me now. I know I did wrong—I should have told you the truth. But the way I was thrown out of your house? That I don’t forgive.”
“Amy…”
“Don’t call me that. That nickname is only for people close to me, and you’re nothing to me.”
“I know I shouldn’t have come, but I needed to—your father was imprisoned because of me. I should have done this investigation sooner, but the documents I had at home seemed sufficient at the time. I admit my mistake. I know it’s late, but I’m asking for forgiveness, from both you and him.”
“Like you said yourself, Owen, it’s too late now. We don’t need it anymore. We managed to prove his innocence, and I’m very happy about that, so don’t come here and ruin my happiness.”
“Ellie has been asking about you,” I say, appealing to my daughter, knowing Amélie loves her. But Amélie is smart.
“Don't bother trying to guilt me by bringing her up. Yes, I took care of her and gave her all my love. But you're the one who chose to push us apart, so that guilt is yours to carry too.”
She turns her back and walks away toward the house, goes inside, and slams the door.
I knew this was going to be difficult, but not this difficult.
The way she spoke to me hurt more than a slap to the face would have.
Earning her forgiveness won't be easy—I know that—but I'll try, and I will succeed.
She didn't mention the pregnancy, and I didn't want to bring it up.
I can't have her suspecting she's being watched.
I stand there a few more minutes, staring at the door she disappeared through, until finally I turn away and get in the car. I need to figure out how to soften her up and get her to forgive me. I'll try everything, and I won't rest until she's back with me.
I'm in the car when my phone rings. I pull it out of my pocket and see an unknown number, but I decide to answer anyway.
“Good morning, Your Honor. Did you pay your little lady a visit today?”
“Who is this?”
“Forgotten me already? I wasn't in the pen that long. I figured when I got out, you'd still remember the day you threw me into that hellhole.”
“Garcia. I'd love to know which idiot got you out.”
“Haven't you heard? Money buys everything. With the right contacts and enough cash, you can get anything.”
“What do you want?”
“You don't know yet? Let me tell you—I want revenge on every single one of you who locked me up in that cell,” he rants into the phone. “But I'll save you for last, don't worry. And I'm going to hit you where it hurts most.”
“If you lay a finger on my daughter, I'll kill you, Garcia.”
“But she's not who I had in mind.”
Just as I'm about to respond, he hangs up. If it's not my daughter, he's talking about Amélie. I need to get more protection on her without her knowing. I have to protect her—her and our baby. I message Marcus to send more security her way, and I'll do whatever it takes to get close to her again.