The police came and April was taken away. June watched her sister struggle against the policemen who took her out of the old Rivera House.
“This is not over! I will be back! I always come back!” April screamed as she was thrown into a black maria filled with police officials.
The detective spoke to them after she was dragged out of the scene. “The case will be charged to court immediately. Thank you for your help.”
June nodded, unable to speak. Evelyn watched the police vans leave the house and for the first time since she felt relief. It finally seemed like everything was coming together and her eyes glistened.
Liam returned to the mother-and-daughter duo after taking a call. His brother’s remains were on his private jet back to North City. The Fernando family was experiencing a power shift as Liam reinstated himself as the head of their fraction with Arnold’s death.
There was a lot to put in order but Liam resolved to remain in South City until further notice. Time passed and soon, it was time for the court hearing, June and her mother constantly appeared in court as they tried April for numerous crimes.
Sharon Malroy, Clarence Whitlock and Mrs Beatrice were not left out. The South City supreme court handled the case of murders and many other crimes accredited to the three women. Clarence was abandoned by her grandfather and tagged as an accomplice in hiding a wanted criminal, kidnap, defamation and murder.
On the day of judgement, Rafael made his way to the court with a lawyer who presented evidence of his mother’s innocence in the death of Colton. However, she was guilty of other crimes as aiding a criminal and framing April for the death of Colton.
Clarence was found guilty of killing Colton who was discovered to be the father of her unborn child. She lost her mind on the stands when she was given thirty-five years imprisonment with hard labour.
June sat in the audience as she was dragged out of the court by police officers who swiftly carried out the court orders. Mrs Beatrice was given three years of house arrest and deep reflection on her crimes.
A parole officer was to come by her containment home to ensure she was serving her time and she was to see a doctor for mental health rehabilitation. She also had to pay a fine of a hundred million dollars.
Sharon Malroy’s case was tricky as she was found guilty of preventing Justice. The court adjourned her case for further hearing and eventual judgment while April was sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour. June felt relieved when the verdict was passed but April couldn’t believe it.
As soon as the judge gave the verdict, April tried to run out of the stands but was held down by the guards who electrocuted her to unconsciousness. April was carried out of the place and taken to the prison cell where she was to spend the rest of her life.
June stepped out of the court with her mother and Lucy. Rafael stood by his car when his mother was paraded out of the court in handcuffs. June and her entourage watched their interaction from a distance.
“I’m sorry, son,” Beatrice said with teary eyes. “I have brought you pain and shame. I am sorry for my actions, please, find it in your heart to forgive me,”
Rafael didn’t say a word to his mother. He wore a cold countenance but deep down, his life was collapsing. Rafael felt confused and his heart gripped tightly when he thought of what awaited him.
Since his mother started the trial, he handed over the case to a lawyer and spent his time overworking himself to a corner. Rafael returned to a dark corner and spent every waking moment in his office.
He employed a male nanny to take care of Luis who lived with him and things were slowly returning to how it was before June came into their lives. Each time he saw June, a wave of regret filled his heart.
He had lost the only good thing in his life and he didn’t have the right to recover it. Rafael stared at his mother who earnestly waited for him to say something before she left for her containment house, turned around and walked away.
Just when Beatrice lost hope, he turned around and walked towards her. “I hope you learn your lesson, Mother.” He took a deep breath. “I will not be visiting you through these years. You should think about your life decisions and learn adequately.”
Tears flowed through her eyes as she spoke. “Please don’t do this… son, I need you.”
“You need to find yourself. We both need to.” Rafael walked away from his mother and never looked back. Mrs Beatrice was escorted to her cell by the police and she cried all the way.
Meanwhile, June and her family returned home to celebrate the verdict. April was finally out of their life. They could finally breath and live long. Lucy organised a party at a hotel where she was to have dinner with the members of JL Architecture.
Coincidentally, it was also the anniversary of June’s company and a beautiful event. “Thank you,” June said to Lucy when she arrived at the event.
She had lost sight of everything with the case and it felt good to sit back and relax for one night. Lucy was glad to do it. “It’s been one hectic year.” She mused, and June smiled.
They spent the night with the employees who made it happen and after some time, June was ready to call it a night. Although it was a good event, she still felt bummed with Sharon’s situation.
She excused herself from the event and decided to visit Sheila at the hospital before she returned home. June arrived at the South City hospital just over eight pm. She took the elevator and headed to the room where Sheila was kept in a life machine.
June took a seat beside her and observed the machine for the longest time. “I failed you.” Those were the first words she uttered. “I don’t know Sharon’s fate. I have done everything I can to get her out, but now it’s all out of my hands.”
For the first time since April was apprehended, June let herself cry. “I am supposed to be happy. I finally caught my sister and made her pay for her crimes. I was able to build a successful company. I have my mother and a beautiful relationship with her.”
“Am I wrong to feel like something’s missing?” June got no response, safe for the beeps of the venting machine which monitored Sheila’s situation. “I am supposed to be happy. I did everything and now it feels like there is this big gap that is waiting to be filled in my heart,”
“What do I do?”
June remained in Sheila’s hospital room, unknown to her, the hours flew by and soon it was past ten. Meanwhile, Rafael visited the hospital for a check-up. He was feeling some pain around his surgery area.
Carson was out on a trip and the last thing he needed was to get him all riled up about his health status. June soon realised the time and left the room. She got to the elevator and pushed it open.
Rafael was done with his examination and inside the elevator. When June saw him, she resolved to take the stairs but he stopped her. Rafael kept the elevator open with his feet. “Come in.”
Although June was ready to give her ex-husband an earful about how she was not interested in sharing an elevator with him, she was too tired and emotionally exhausted for that conversation. She walked into the elevator, deciding to spend the next few minutes with him.
What could go wrong?
“I miss you,” Rafael said mere minutes into the ride. “Can we ever fix things between us?”
June felt her heart wrench. “Not in this world.” She replied with her face glued to the door.
Rafael expected something like that but it hurt nonetheless. “I never stopped loving you.” He breathed and June felt her heart melt. “I’m sorry it had to be this way.”
“Love is not enough, Rafael.” She muttered to his hearing. “In this world, love is never enough.”
Rafael felt his heart stop.
“It changes nothing,” June said with glistening eyes. “You and I were perfect. But that’s in the past. We can’t work.”
Rafael held her arm. “We can. You just have to want it bad enough.”
“Rafe…” June pulled away from him. “It’s enough now.”
Rafael felt her slipping away, her heart was closing up to him and he couldn’t have that. He looked up and they were seven floors to their destination.
He hit the red button and stopped the elevator. June was startled at the sudden behaviour. Before she could speak, Rafael dragged her flush against him and kissed her as his life depended on it.
And to him, it did.
June struggled against him for seconds but soon fell into sync with him. The two lovers kissed until they heard the wires snap and the elevator freefalling downwards.
“What’s going on?” June thought as she held Rafael for her dear life.
Unknown to them, the elevator wires had snapped and were crashing to death. In a matter of seconds, the lights went off and the elevator crashed, leaving both of them lifeless.