Chapter 565 Great Satisfaction
Even though she knew it was coming, Cecilia's eyes still welled up when she heard the verdict.
She glanced over at Alaric.
They'd been apart for what felt like forever.
Finally, Alaric could walk out of that prison.
She tried to keep her emotions in check.
Joe's voice broke through her thoughts, "The charges against Dominic will be retried with the new evidence and appeal. Court adjourned!"
The gavel came down.
Joe and the jury filed out, followed by everyone else.
Cecilia watched as Alaric's handcuffs were finally removed. They looked so heavy on his thin wrists. Alaric looked up at her, mouthing, "Wait for me." Her vision blurred as he walked away.
"Cecilia, Alaric's gone, aren't you leaving?" Seraphina nudged her.
Cecilia bit her lip, emotions swirling inside her. Suddenly, she turned and bolted out of the courtroom.
By the time Seraphina realized, Cecilia was already gone.
She thought, 'Cecilia must really love Alaric!'
A pang of envy hit Seraphina. She'd forgotten what love felt like, even though she was in a relationship.
But Seraphina wasn't one to dwell on things. She quickly ran after Cecilia.
Outside the courthouse, Cecilia stood waiting for Alaric.
After a few anxious minutes, she saw Alaric and Preston walking out together.
Alaric had changed into regular clothes, but they hung loosely on his now thin frame. Cecilia's eyes were still red. Alaric stopped a few steps away and smiled, just like always. He opened his arms wide.
Without thinking, Cecilia ran into his embrace. She crashed into his chest, now just skin and bones. The once strong Alaric was a shadow of his former self.
Cecilia hugged him tight, breathing in his familiar scent. Her tears soaked his shirt.
From a distance, Seraphina watched them. Smiling, she turned and walked away. She didn't want to interrupt their moment.
She figured after all this time apart, Cecilia and Alaric needed a night together.
But she wondered if Alaric's body could handle it now. As she walked away, these thoughts filled her mind.
Then she thought of Dashiell. He'd been at the first trial but skipped the second. Did he think Alaric was a lost cause? Had he given up? Was Dashiell really that cold?
Lost in thought, Seraphina kept walking.
At the courthouse entrance, Cecilia still clung to Alaric. People walked by, some stopping to watch. Maybe they were moved by their love.
Lyra, surrounded by bodyguards, walked out too. She saw them. In the end, Cecilia had won. She'd gotten revenge on Dominic and saved Alaric.
Meanwhile, Lyra had been dumped by Dominic. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She shot a glare at Cecilia and Alaric before storming off.
"Let's get moving," Preston finally said, unable to hold back. He figured Cecilia and Alaric could probably hug forever if left alone.
At Preston's nudge, Cecilia snapped out of it, feeling a bit shy. She just wanted to hold Alaric and never let go.
She pulled away from his chest and looked up, seeing his loving smile.
Alaric grinned, "You can hug me all you want when we get home."
She thought, 'Like I was the only one who wanted to hug. You were holding me pretty tight too.'
Hand in hand, Alaric and Cecilia walked out of the Serenovia City District Court. Outside, a swarm of reporters was waiting. Some folks who had left earlier were already being interviewed, but the main focus was on Alaric and Cecilia.
Reporters blocked their path, bombarding them with questions.
"Mr. Whitaker, how do you feel about being proven innocent?"
"Dominic framed you and played the good guy. Now that Lyra exposed him, do you feel justice has been served?"
"Ms. Lockhart, any comments on Alaric's acquittal?"
Cecilia and Alaric could barely keep up.
Cecilia didn't want to waste energy on the reporters.
She kept it short, "I said in court that I believe in the fairness and justice of the law. Alaric's acquittal was only natural."
But the reporters kept pushing. "What are your thoughts on Dominic's crimes?"
Cecilia responded, "Dominic's actions should be punished by the law. I have no further comments; that's for the law to handle."
"Ms. Lockhart..."
"I'm sorry. My husband just got out of prison and needs to rest. Please make way." Cecilia shut down the interviews.
Hearing Cecilia call him "her husband," Alaric's expression visibly improved.
But the reporters kept shouting questions.
Finally, with Augustus's help, Cecilia and Alaric managed to get away.
In the car, Cecilia finally exhaled. She glanced back at the courthouse, hoping never to return. She clung to Alaric's arm, scared of losing him again. This separation had shown her just how much she loved him.
The car was quiet until Cecilia's phone rang. She looked at the screen and said to Alaric, "It's your mom."
Today was the second trial, and the Whitaker family hadn't shown up. After the first trial, Arabella was so upset she fell ill and had been bedridden, with Caspian taking care of her.
Christopher and Jasper were busy with work and couldn't attend. They probably heard about Alaric's acquittal and called.
"Answer it," Alaric said softly.
Cecilia couldn't help but feel that Alaric was barely holding on, though she wondered if it was just her imagination.
She answered the call.
"Has Alaric been acquitted?" Arabella asked excitedly on the other end.
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