The boy locked in my coatroom carried a photograph of the pregnant wife I had buried seven years ago
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Chapter 21 / 27
Chapter 21 - Sentencing
Maude had no prior criminal record.
But conduct lasted years.
Victims:
Evelyn.
Finley.
Me.
Caroline West’s family indirectly through delayed identity correction.
No physical imprisonment for Evelyn.
No murder.
No violent injury to Finley.
Judge imposed:
Seven years imprisonment.
Two years suspended.
Five years to serve.
Three years supervised probation afterward.
Restitution:
Specific improperly used corporate funds.
Verified legal/medical costs caused by deception.
No double recovery with civil settlements.
No lifetime fantasy ban.
No confiscation of all wealth.
Then Maude spoke.
“I loved Merrick.”
The judge said:
May you like
“This case is not about whether you experienced love. It is about what you believed love permitted you to do.”
That was enough.
