I shook my head.
“I’ll figure it out.”
Leaving the lawyer’s office, I called my boss, Mr. Henderson.
“Sir, I need to ask for a one-year salary advance.”
There was a long pause.
“Why?”
I explained the situation briefly. Another long silence.
“Chloe, are you sure about this?” he asked. “You’ve only known this man for a few weeks. Is he worth it?”
“He is,” I said. “He made a mistake trying to save his mother’s life. And he’s my husband.”
Mr. Henderson sighed.
“Come to the office tomorrow. We’ll sort out the paperwork.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Don’t thank me,” he said. “Just make sure you deliver on the Blue Sky account.”
The salary advance combined with my savings was enough for the retainer. Mr. Davies officially took the case. Three days later, I was allowed to visit Leo. In the visitors’ room at the detention center, he wore a standard-issue jumpsuit. His hair was cut short, and he looked exhausted, but his eyes were clear.
“Chloe,” he said through the glass partition.
I picked up the receiver.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he said with a weak smile. “I’m so sorry I dragged you into this.”
“Don’t say that,” I said. “I know everything about Alex and his uncle.”
His eyes clouded over.
“You found out.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What good would it have done?” he said with a bitter laugh. “You had enough on your plate. I didn’t want to add to it.”
“We’re married,” I said. “Married people face things together.”
He looked at me, his eyes welling up.
“Chloe, I don’t…”
I cut him off.
“The lawyer is working on it. We’re going to win this.”
“Lawyers are expensive,” he said.
“I paid him,” I said calmly.
He stared at me.
“Where did you get the money?”
“Salary advance. My savings. I’ll earn it back before the baby comes.”
He lowered his head, his shoulders shaking.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Look at me,” I said.
He raised his head, tears streaming down his face.
“We are going to get through this,” I said, looking him straight in the eye. “You, me, and the baby.”
“The baby. You decided to keep him?” he asked.
I touched my stomach.
“The doctor says he’s perfectly healthy.”
He pressed his hand against the glass opposite my belly.
“I’ll get out of here,” he vowed, his voice thick with emotion. “I swear I’ll make this up to you both.”
Time was up. I left the detention center and walked out into the blinding sun. Maya was waiting in the car.
“How was he?”
“Okay,” I said. “He said he’ll get out.”
“Good.”
Maya started the car.
“Oh, I have some news. Alex’s uncle, Daniel Vance, turns out he wasn’t just targeting Leo. He’s being investigated for a massive Ponzi scheme. The feds are all over him.”
“Really?”
“My dad’s friend at the SEC confirmed it. If Daniel Vance goes down, it could change everything for Leo’s case.”
A week later, Daniel Vance was arrested. New Horizons Capital was exposed as a front for a massive fraud operation. Leo’s case was re-examined in a new light. Mr. Davies submitted a new defense brief highlighting Leo as a victim of a larger criminal conspiracy. A month later, the trial began. I was five months pregnant, my belly a prominent curve under my dress. I sat in the courtroom, Maya by my side. When they brought Leo in, he looked at me, his expression resolute. The prosecution argued for wire fraud. Mr. Davies countered, painting a picture of a desperate son entrapped by a vicious predator, a man who had misappropriated funds not for greed, but for love. He presented the journal, the medical bills, and a deposition from Daniel Vance, who, in exchange for a lighter sentence, had confessed to everything. After a long deliberation, the judge returned.
“The defendant, Leo Sterling, is found guilty of the crime of embezzlement.”
The judge’s voice boomed. My hand flew to my mouth.
“Given the substantial amount, this court would normally impose a severe penalty. However, considering the extenuating circumstances, namely the defendant’s motive to save his mother’s life, the clear evidence of entrapment, and his full cooperation, this court sentences the defendant to two years suspended, with three years of probation.”
Probation. He was free. Tears of relief streamed down my face. Leo was released from custody right there. Walking out of the courthouse, the sun felt warm on my face. Leo pulled me into a tight hug.
“Thank you,” he whispered in my ear.
“Don’t say thank you,” I said. “Let’s go home.”
The drive was quiet. There was too much to say. Back at my apartment, Leo took a long shower and changed into fresh clothes. He sat on the couch looking at me.
“The company is gone,” he said.
“I know. How much debt are we in?”
“About $300,000,” he said.
“I’ll pay it back.”
“We’ll pay it back,” I corrected him.
He looked at me, his eyes full of emotion.
“Chloe, you don’t have to.”
“We’re married,” I cut him off. “For better or for worse, right?”
He bowed his head.
“I don’t deserve you.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” I said.
That night, we ate a simple dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, which I cooked. Leo ate slowly, savoring every bite.
“This is delicious,” he said.
“I’ll cook for you every day from now on,” I replied.
He smiled, a real relaxed smile. Life seemed to be returning to normal. Leo started looking for a job, but his criminal record made it nearly impossible. He was rejected from a dozen interviews. He didn’t give up.
“If I have to, I’ll deliver for DoorDash,” he said.
“I can support us,” I offered.
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I’m the husband. I need to provide.”
Just when we were starting to despair, the phone rang. It was one of Leo’s old clients.
“Leo, I heard you were out. Are you looking for work? We need a new CTO.”
Leo was stunned.
“But my record…”
“I know about your record,” the man said. “I also know about your talent. So, are you in?”
“Yes.”
