บททั้งหมดของ FRAMED FOR MURDER WHILE PREGNANT: NOW I'M THE MAFIA'S WIFE: บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

Von POV The penthouse was dark when we arrived, but Marcus had arranged for it to be stocked food, baby supplies, everything Michael and Marissa might need. I carried my sleeping son to the bedroom I'd always planned would be his, laid him in a bed that had been empty for months."He's beautiful," Marissa said from the doorway. "Lucky to have you.""Lucky to have both of us now." I kissed Michael's forehead, left a night light on, closed the door softly. "Come on. I'll show you around."The tour was brief living room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city, kitchen I rarely used, master bedroom that suddenly felt too intimate showing to my wife of less than a week."It's nice," Marissa said, looking out at Los Angeles sprawling below. "Sterile, but nice. Very bachelor.""Feel free to change anything. It's your home now too.""Our home." She corrected. "Pronouns matter. We're in this together, remember?""Together." I moved behind her, looked at the city over her shoulder.

Von POV The FBI field office was organized chaos. Agents rushing between desks, phones ringing, evidence boards covered in photos connecting Chris, Richard, and Becca's conspiracy. In the center of it all, Agent Sarah Morrison no relation to the detective who'd arrested us waited with sharp eyes and sharper questions."Mr. and Mrs. Castellano. Thank you for coming." She gestured to chairs across from her desk. "We've been piecing together this conspiracy for eighteen hours straight. It's... extensive.""Fifteen years of planning tends to be extensive," I said."Yes. About that." Agent Morrison pulled out files. "Becca Romano has been connected to fourteen separate identities, seven bank accounts in four countries, and at least three other long term cons before targeting you. She's not just a murderer she's a professional criminal.""How did we miss that?" Marissa asked. "How did Chris miss that?""Because she's extraordinarily good at hiding. Multiple identities, clean backgrounds, p

Marissa POV "Understood. No more secrets. Even when I think they're kind." He pulled me closer. "For what it's worth, keeping that from you felt wrong. I knew it was wrong. Did it anyway because I'm an idiot who thought he was being protective.""You were being controlling. Like Chris."The comparison hit him visibly. "I'm nothing like Chris.""Then prove it. By being honest. Always. Painfully, brutally honest, even when it would be easier to lie." I pulled back. "Can you do that? Can you promise complete honesty, no matter how much it hurts?""Yes. I promise. Complete honesty." He paused. "Starting now I'm terrified. Of fatherhood, of failing these children, of becoming my father or Chris or any of the monsters who've touched our lives. I'm terrified that I'm going to destroy you by accident, that this marriage is doomed, that we're building something beautiful on a foundation of trauma that will eventually crumble. I'm terrified every single day, and I hide it because I think you n

Von POV Becca's composure cracked just for a second. "My baby deserves better than me. That's why I'm giving Von custody.""No. You're selling custody for twenty years instead of life. Don't pretend it's noble." Marissa straightened. "Your child will grow up knowing its mother chose prison over them. Chose revenge over family. That's your legacy, Becca. Not the destruction you caused that's mine to overcome. Your legacy is abandonment. Being forgotten. Dying in prison while the people you tried to destroy live full, beautiful lives without you.""You can't erase me. I'm the reason you and Von found each other ""You're the obstacle we overcame. That's all." Marissa turned away. "Enjoy prison. I'll enjoy raising your child to be nothing like you."The courtroom erupted. Judge Whitmore banged her gavel. "Order! Mrs. Castellano, return to your seat!"Marissa walked back to me, sat down, hands shaking. I pulled her close, whispered: "That was perfect. She'll remember that forever.""Good

Von POV One week later, we stood in the same courtroom where Becca had testified, watching her receive her sentence.Marissa beside me, Catherine at our backs, Marcus monitoring from the gallery. Sophia was with her nanny, Michael at school, our lives continuing even as we closed this chapter.Becca was brought in, thinner than before, visibly pregnant now. Seven months along with my child another daughter, we'd learned. Another innocent life caught in this disaster."Rebecca Romano," Judge Whitmore began. "You've pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud, accessory to murder, and multiple other charges. In exchange for your cooperation, the prosecution has recommended a sentence of twenty years with possibility of parole after fifteen. However, before I pass sentence, I'm going to hear victim impact statements. Mr. and Mrs. Castellano, you may proceed."Marissa stood first. Walked to the microphone with more confidence than she'd had months ago. Stronger now, transformed by everything we'