The initial verdict came quickly.
The evidence was conclusive, and the nature of the crime was heinous.
Unsurprisingly, Evelyn Grant was sentenced to death, to be carried out immediately.
After a brief exchange with her, the defense attorney stood up calmly. "Your Honor, my client wishes to appeal. We also request a withdrawal of the death sentence because... she's pregnant."
"Impossible!"
Before the judge could even speak, Julian Sterling shot back from the plaintiff's gallery, "Evelyn Grant is lying! We never slept together during our entire marriage. It's impossible for her to be pregnant!"
'He'd expected Evelyn Grant wouldn't give in so easily and would definitely appeal.'
'But he never thought she'd dare to lie about being pregnant just to deceive the court!'
"Order!"
The judge's face darkened as he issued a warning, then he turned to Evelyn Grant. "Are you certain you're pregnant?"
"I'm certain."
She never once glanced at Julian Sterling. Though her face was gaunt, her tone was level and composed.
She showed none of the guilt expected of a murderer.
"Then why did the medical report from your arrest indicate you weren't pregnant?"
"Because I only just found out myself."
Just then, a staff member from the detention center came forward and submitted a proof of pregnancy issued by a hospital.
It clearly stated: Evelyn Grant, early intrauterine pregnancy, 8+ weeks.
The judge examined it carefully, then motioned for the court clerk to hand the certificate to the plaintiff's party for inspection.
Julian Sterling was the first to snatch it away.
His dark eyes scanned the fine print at the bottom before he shot a shocked glare at Evelyn Grant. "Whose child is this?!"
"The plaintiff's party will remain silent!" the judge warned again, frowning.
But Julian Sterling had already lost his composure. "I'm asking you, Evelyn Grant! Whose child are you carrying? Did you really stoop so low as to sleep with another man just to escape the death penalty?"
Finally, Evelyn Grant deigned to look at him.
Her eyes were cold and clear, devoid of their former light and affection.
"It's not yours."
"No, that's wrong! It's absolutely impossible! Your Honor, she's lying! Evelyn Grant has been in love with me for ten years! The day we got divorced, she found out about me and Jane, but she was arrested immediately after! She didn't have the chance!"
'Just look at that.'
'How clever Julian Sterling was.'
'So he not only knew how long I'd loved him, but also how to create a perfect trap, leaving me with no way out.'
'If Ryan Sterling hadn't shown up unexpectedly that day, what situation would I be in right now?'
'I don't even dare to think about it!'
Evelyn Grant suddenly laughed.
She laughed at her own foolishness, at how she'd been blinded by love.
She also laughed at herself for being blind all these years, for loving a monster.
...
After the hearing ended, Evelyn Grant was legally entitled to one visitor.
She had intended to see her lawyer and ask him to investigate Jane Jacobs.
But a prison guard suddenly informed her that both Julian Sterling and Ryan Sterling had submitted visit requests at the exact same time!
「In the visitation room.」
The man was dressed in an ink-black suit, complete with a white shirt and tie. The impeccable tailoring hugged his broad, muscular shoulders and narrow waist—it was an incredibly formal look!
The contrast with his usual uniform of windbreakers and casual clothes was stark.
Evelyn Grant stared, almost failing to recognize him.
'After all, in her memory, he always had a nonchalant attitude toward everything, exuding a roguish air. Yet his face was just too exquisite, almost androgynously beautiful.'
She chose to see Ryan Sterling.
She rejected Julian Sterling's request.
"So you're really pregnant?"
Ryan Sterling raised an eyebrow as he sat, his long, slender fingers gripping a manila envelope.
"Mm."
She lowered her gaze and nodded.
Like a soulless vessel.
Then she watched as he took two sheets of paper from the envelope, smoothed them out, and laid them in front of her.
The heading was printed in large, conspicuous letters—
Marriage Application.
"Sign."
Ryan Sterling handed her a pen.
Evelyn Grant was stunned. Some expression finally returned to her small, delicate face. "What is this?"
"You need to give me some standing."
Ryan Sterling said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
As if it was a foregone conclusion that she was meant to marry him!
"I... You... you want to help me?"
Evelyn Grant asked, confused, only to hear Ryan Sterling explain in a steady tone, "You and I have no legal relationship, which is why I couldn't even get into your hearing today."
"If you want me to look for evidence for you, I need to have legal standing first. Get it?"
Seeing her just blink, still showing no intention of signing...
Ryan Sterling's expression turned cold as he pulled out another document. "Fine, if you don't want to marry me, sign this adoption agreement instead. Then I'll be your father!"
"..."