The Price Marcus Finally Paid
Chapter 16 - The Price Marcus Finally Paid
Marcus accepted a plea agreement eighteen months after the rooftop gala.
He avoided the longest possible sentence by cooperating with investigators and returning assets.
Evelyn attended the hearing.
Lily did not.
“I already spent eleven years of my life on him,” she said. “He's not getting another day.”
Evelyn understood.
After court, Marcus asked to speak to her.
He looked older.
Smaller.
For the first time, he had no office, title, attorney, or family reputation standing between him and the consequences of his choices.
“I loved you,” he said.
Evelyn believed him.
That was the tragedy.
“I know.”
“I was trying to protect what we had.”
“No. You were afraid there wouldn't be enough left if other people had power too.”
Marcus looked down.
“Will Lily ever forgive me?”
“That's not mine to answer.”
“And you?”
Evelyn thought for a long moment.
“I hope someday I can forgive you.”
Marcus looked relieved.
Then Evelyn continued.
“But forgiveness doesn't mean I'm giving you access to my life again.”
His relief disappeared.
That was another lesson Evelyn had learned from Lily.
Forgiveness was not surrender.
Family was not permission.
Love was not a lifetime exemption from consequences.
She walked away.
Outside, Noah waited beside Lily.
He was taller now.
His hair had been cut, though never as short as his school preferred.
He carried the flute.
“How was it?”
Evelyn considered the question.
“Finished.”
Noah nodded.
“Good.”
Lily took Evelyn's arm.
They walked toward the car together.
Then Noah stopped.
“I forgot something.”
“What?”
“My audition.”
Lily froze.
Evelyn checked the time.
They had twenty-three minutes to cross half of Manhattan.
The three of them looked at one another.
Then Evelyn said,
May you like
“Run.”
And for once, they were all running toward something instead of away.
