Alicia's Verdict

One month later...

Nathan left the rehab center and couldn't remember when he felt this alive. The sun-filled Arthur's luxurious penthouse with warm, golden light as Nathan stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the magnificent cityscape below. Nathalie was nearby, sipping her morning coffee and flipping through a fashion magazine.

The two of them stay with Arthur as they decide to sell the mansion they grew up in. They all agreed to eliminate all their bad memories in that house.

"Hey, Nate," Arthur called out as he entered the room, an excited grin on his face. "I've got a surprise for you."

Nathan turned to face his brother, curiosity piqued. Arthur gestured towards the door, and in walked a tall man carrying a set of golf clubs. Nathan's eyes widened, recognizing him instantly.

"Meet Liam," Arthur said, beaming. "He's my personal golf coach, and he's agreed to help you pursue your passion for golf."

"Arthur, you didn't have to do that!" Nathan exclaimed, a mixture of gratitude and disbelief filling his voice. He shook hands with Liam, who smiled warmly at him.

"It's nice to meet you, Nathan."

"Liam, it's nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you from Arthur. It would be an honor to have you as my coach."

"Anything for family, right?" Arthur replied, clapping Nathan on the back.

Arthur suddenly grew serious as they chatted animatedly about golf and the upcoming lessons. Nathan was thrilled to talk with Liam about their coaching and his journey of becoming a professional golfer. His beaming face was evident. Arthur and Nathalie couldn't be happier, looking at Nathan's face of satisfaction.

As they set the schedule of their golf coaching, Liam turned to leave the Hendricks siblings. Nathan noticed his brother's demeanor change and exchanged a concerned glance with Nathalie.

"Speaking of family," Arthur began hesitantly, "the day of Alicia's verdict is coming up. I thought we could all go together...to witness it and maybe find some closure." His deep blue eyes met Nathan and Nathalie's, searching for agreement.

Nathan took a deep breath, feeling a knot form in his stomach. He knew how important this moment would be for all of them - to finally see justice served for their mother's actions. Glancing at Nathalie, he saw her nod, determination shining in her eyes.

"Let's do it," Nathan agreed, his voice steady. "We'll be there with you, Arthur."

"Thank you," Arthur said, relief etched on his face.

Days later, the trio sat in the crowded courtroom, waiting for Alicia's sentencing. The tension in the air was palpable, and Nathan couldn't help but clasp Nathalie's hand for comfort. As the judge entered and the room fell silent, their hearts raced in unison.

"Order in the court!" the bailiff called out, and the moment they all had been anticipating unfolded before their eyes.

Their desire for closure and justice drove them to be present, witnessing the consequences of their mother's actions. It was a painful reminder of the past and a necessary step toward healing and moving forward as a family.

In this emotional whirlwind, Arthur, Nathan, and Nathalie knew one thing: they would always have each other, no matter what trials life threw at them.

The gavel fell with a resonating thud. Arthur, Nathan, and Nathalie held their breath as the judge cleared his throat to announce Alicia's verdict. The courtroom seemed to shrink around them, anticipation mixed with dread weighing heavily in the air.

"Mrs. Alicia Hendricks," the judge began, his voice echoing through the room. "You have been found guilty of the attempted murder of your son, Nathan Hendricks. The court hereby sentences you to life imprisonment without possible parole."

A wave of emotions washed over Nathan as the reality of the situation sank in. Anger bubbled up inside him as he thought back to the pain and suffering his mother had caused him, but relief soon followed, knowing that justice had finally been served.

On the other hand, Nathalie struggled to accept the betrayal from her mother, who had always favored her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably, her chest heaving with each labored breath.

"Nat, I know this is hard for you," Nathan whispered gently, wrapping an arm around his sister's trembling shoulders. "But remember, we're all here for you."

Arthur nodded in agreement, sympathy etched across his face. "She may have been our mother, but what she did to you, Nathan... It's unforgivable. We're better off without her in our lives."

Nathalie looked at her brothers, her eyes red and swollen but filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she choked out between sobs. "I just... I can't believe it's come to this. It hurts so much."

"Believe me, I understand," Nathan replied, his anger slowly dissipating as he focused on comforting his sister. "But we'll get through this together. We've always been there for each other, and that won't change now."

As they left the courtroom, their mother's fate sealed and the weight of her betrayal still heavy on their hearts, Arthur, Nathan, and Nathalie knew there would be no going back. It was time for them to heal, move forward, and create a new life together – one filled with love, trust, and unwavering support.

Days after the trial, Nathalie sat with Arthur and Nathan in the living room of Arthur's luxurious penthouse. She took a deep breath and glanced at her brothers, her eyes filled with determination.

"Arthur, Nathan," she began, her voice wavering slightly. "I need to speak with Mother one last time. I need closure."

Nathan frowned, his blue eyes clouded with concern. "Are you sure that's what you want, Nat?"

She nodded, her jaw set. "I am."

Arthur studied his sister for a moment before sighing in resignation. "Alright, if you're certain. We'll go with you."

"Thank you," Nathalie whispered, relief evident in her voice.

The following day, the trio stood outside the imposing gates of the high-security prison where Alicia was being held. The air was thick with tension as they waited to be granted entry.

"Remember," Arthur said quietly as they approached the guards, "we're here for Nathalie. Let's keep our focus on supporting her."

As they passed through layers of security checks, each more stringent than the last, it became increasingly clear that this would be a challenging visit. They surrendered their personal belongings, were frisked by guards, and had their identification scrutinized.

"Almost there," Nathan muttered as they finally stepped into the sterile visiting room, their footsteps echoing off the walls.

Alicia sat behind a pane of reinforced glass, wearing a plain orange jumpsuit that seemed entirely at odds with her former glamorous lifestyle. Her once flawless makeup was nonexistent, and her carefully coiffed hair hung limp around her shoulders. She looked smaller, more fragile than Nathalie remembered, yet something was still undeniably powerful about her presence.

"Mother," Nathalie said softly, pressing the prison phone to her ear. Her heart pounded as she struggled to keep her voice steady.

"Darling," Alicia replied, her voice barely audible through the static-laden connection. "I wasn't expecting to see you again."

"Neither were we," Arthur interjected, his voice cold and unyielding.

"Arthur," Nathalie warned, silencing him with a glance before turning back to her mother. "We're here because I need closure. I need answers."

"Ask your questions, then," Alicia sighed, her eyes filled with sadness and remorse.

As Nathalie began to speak, all three were drawn into a painful and cathartic conversation. They confronted their mother about her betrayal, motives, and the life they'd shared as a family.