Page 78 of Finding Her Strength

When I sit next to Levi, his arm wraps around my shoulders, sending all the tension from testifying flowing out of my body. After everything, I can finally relax.

The judge’svoice pulls me back from my memory, and I wait with bated breath to hear the jury’s final decision.

“Has the jury reached a verdict?”

“We have, Your Honor. For the charge of kidnapping in the first degree, we, the jury, find the defendant, guilty. For the charge of aggravated assault in the first degree, we, the jury, find the defendant, guilty. For the charge of murder in the first degree, we the jury, find the defendant, guilty.”

The foreperson goes through the rest of the charges one by one. As each guilty verdict is announced, another weight on my shoulders is lifted. With mine and Levi’s testimonies, there was very little standing in the way of a guilty charge, but with Antony’s henchman providing evidence for the murders of Tomas, the lawyer, and some of his henchmen in exchange for a lesser sentence, Antony will be out of our lives for good.

He will never see the light of day again, no matter what happens. Adding up the minimum sentences for each charge, he’ll die in prison. There will be no more appeals because of mishandled evidence, especially with proof that Antony bribed an officer to falsify the documents.

It’s over.

After the final guilty charge is read, the judge orders Antony to be remanded into custody until sentencing. A deep breath falls from my chest that I wasn’t even aware I was holding. Levi’s arm around my shoulders shakes me from my relieved stupor. He pulls me into his chest, wrapping me up in his love.

“It’s over,” he whispers into my hair, echoing my thoughts. All I can do is nod. I know if I say anything right now, I’ll break down. I refuse to do that until we’re home. Until I’m safe from prying eyes.

This case garnered a lot of media attention the first time Antony was tried; going through it all again has blown it up even bigger. I was sucked into the frenzy because of my testimony,which has made things difficult over the past several months. I’m hoping it’ll die down when his sentencing is complete.

Levi holds my hand, leading me out of the courtroom. The journalists all try to ask us questions as we leave. Some of them have been super nice, while others feel a little like sharks, lurking in the shallow end for blood.

When we make it to the car, Levi and I both exhale. He grabs my hand, holding it on his lap as usual while he drives us home.

The silence in the car is almost unbearable, but I’m not ready to speak. When we’re home, and I’m safe, I’ll be ready to break down. To finally purge the last of my anxieties over Antony getting released and of him finding a way to try to kill me or Levi. To move on from the nightmare of my past.

I’m ready to live in the present, looking toward my future with the knowledge that we’ve made it through the darkest of the dark. All that’s left to do now is be happy.

“Hey,Hope, can you come look at something really quick?” Levi calls from the back door.

I finish stirring the chili simmering on the stove, then slip my coat on to see what Levi wants. The cool fall weather has finally set in, bringing with it the beautiful colors I love. We moved into the Victorian house a few weeks after Cooper and Quinn surprised us with the finished remodel. We had to wait for both our furniture to arrive and our injuries to heal.

We’ve slowly made it into our home, combining our styles and creating a space so perfect I sometimes have a hard time believing it’s mine.

Stepping out onto the patio, I look around the yard only to see Levi standing by the arbor at the back of our property. Confused as to what he would need my help with back there,I make my way to him only to stop a few feet away when he turns with a bouquet of tulips and white orchids in his hand.

“Come here, love,” he says, holding out his hand. Walking the final steps, I grab it, seriously unsure of what’s happening.

“What’s going on?”

He hands me the flowers, reminiscent of the first time he gave me a similar bouquet. “I have something important I want to talk with you about.”

My brows furrow. “Okay?”

“Over the past few months, we’ve settled into our new life in our beautiful home. It’s been amazing, but there’s one thing we still need to complete.”

I wait, wondering what the heck he’s talking about. There are no more renovations left to finish. We’ve painted everything, and the guest rooms are done, so I have no idea what we still have left to complete.

Then suddenly, he’s kneeling in front of me. The flowers fall to the ground as my hands fly to my mouth in surprise.

“I love you, Hope. I knew you were the one for me when you thought there was something wrong with the flowers I was giving you instead of realizing they wereforyou.” He grins. I’d laugh with him since I was an idiot, but I’m struggling to get past my shock. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner, everything I’ve ever dreamed of, and I would love it if you’d do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

I launch myself at him, knocking him to the ground. Laughing, he wraps his arms around me to pull me even closer. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes! Oh, my god, Levi. Yes!”

I slam my mouth to his, overwhelmed with how much love I feel for this incredible man. He’s my entire world. Everything I’ve always dreamed of having but never thought I’d truly get to experience.

Levi groans when my tongue wraps around his, pushingthe kiss from loving to passionate. I frown when he pulls away, our breaths coming out in pants. “If you keep kissing me like that, I’m going to take you right here in the grass, and despite how much I want you, I’d rather not freeze my ass off.”

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