Chapter 613 You Just Be Kind, Leave the Rest to Me
Stellan watched as Alaric finished his call with Neil. She was just as curious about the outcome.
After Alaric hung up, Stellan quickly asked, "How many years did Tommy get?"
"Five years."
"Five years?" Stellan was shocked. "That long? I thought it would be a year or two at most. Why five years for just harboring a criminal?"
"It was harboring, but Joe's crimes were serious. Plus, Tommy tried to take the fall for him. And being a cop, he should have known better. That added to his sentence."
Alaric had expected this outcome. He added, "Even with the sentence, if he behaves well, he might get out in three or four years. This time in prison might help him find some peace."
"True. Accepting his punishment might help him forgive himself."
Stellan's eyes welled up. During her postpartum recovery, Alaric hadn't told her the truth. By the time she was better, Joe had been caught, and there was no hiding it anymore.
Knowing the truth broke her heart. She couldn't imagine her father's despair that night. He knew jumping would be seen as an admission of guilt, but he did it to protect her.
Since the Storm Group's bankruptcy, Stellan had wondered why. When she learned the truth, she, like everyone else, thought her father must have made an enemy.
But her father was innocent. Joe had come to him with illegal demands, and when her father refused, it led to his death.
Alaric understood her feelings. Evelyn was asleep, and he gently took her from Stellan's arms and laid her down.
He then pulled Stellan close, comforting her. "I know you're hurting. Your father was the most innocent in all this."
If Brennan were alive, he wouldn't even be sixty. He'd be so happy to see her with a loving husband and four beautiful children. But his death was so unjust.
"Your father's wrongful death is heartbreaking and infuriating. But at least now, after all these years, his name is cleared. He can find some peace in heaven."
Alaric could only offer comfort. Words felt inadequate.
"From Tommy's perspective, he was trying to protect someone who was like a son to him. But from my perspective, it's hard to let go. If Joe had been caught earlier, he wouldn't have hurt so many people. If he had been caught soon after my father's death, my father wouldn't have been wronged for so long."
Stellan knew Tommy wasn't to blame for her father's death. Few people would turn in someone they loved. But she couldn't help thinking, what if?
What if Tommy had turned Joe in when he first discovered his crimes? Her father might still be alive.
Stellan sighed. "Tommy's been sentenced and punished. He can forgive himself, and I can make peace with it."
Joe would surely get the death penalty, and Tommy had received a severe punishment. Her father could finally rest in peace.
Alaric held Stellan, gently patting her shoulder. She gave him a faint smile.
"It's all in the past. If my father can see how happy I am now, he'd be happy too." Stellan looked at Alaric gratefully. "Thank you, Alaric."
"Why are you thanking me?"
"Thank you for believing me when I said there was more to my father's case. And thank you for trusting me during your mother's accident."
Alaric had always been her rock, protecting and forgiving her every mistake.
"Looking back, you didn't do anything wrong. Being kind is never wrong. Your kindness is why Ambrose didn't hurt you when he kidnapped you."
"And because of your kindness, Tommy felt guilty and wanted to make things right. He worked so hard to solve my mom's case and even convinced Mia to help."
"And with Josep, you wouldn't have doubted him. If he were guilty, he wouldn't have saved me. But I doubted him because of all the coincidences."
"Every situation has two sides. Keep your kindness and believe that even bad people can change."
"But don't let your kindness hurt you. If you can't tell who's bad, it's okay. I'll protect you."
Stellan's eyes filled with tears. Alaric was the best gift she could have ever received.
"I'm so lucky. I have the best husband in the world."
"Enough with the flattery. I'm not Tommy; I can't handle it."
Stellan laughed. "Okay, no more sweet talk. By the way, where's Josep?"
"Don't mention it. Josep went back to Country M. He refused the car I sent to pick him up from the hospital." Alaric felt guilty. "I need to apologize to him properly for wrongly accusing him."
"Let him cool off first." Stellan asked, "What about Mr. Emberlyn? You talked to him, right?"
"Yeah, but Mr. Emberlyn was firm. He wants me to convince Gillian to leave Tommy and come home. But you know how stubborn Gillian is."
"What are we going to do? Mr. Emberlyn won't budge, and Gillian is so determined. They're going to fall out over this."
Alaric shrugged helplessly. Both father and daughter were so stubborn. What could he do?
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