Chapter 9 - The Trial of Derek Hale
Four months later, Khloe walked into federal court carrying her daughter.
Her name was Elena Harper Bennett.
Elena for Dominic's mother.
Harper for Khloe's maiden family.
Bennett because Khloe had reclaimed the name Derek convinced her to surrender.
Dominic carried the diaper bag.
A dangerous man carrying a pink bag decorated with cartoon rabbits should have looked ridiculous.
Instead, he looked proud.
“You know people are staring?”
Khloe whispered.
“They're intimidated by my rabbits.”
She laughed.
Then Elena made a tiny noise.
Dominic immediately looked down.
“Was that a cough?”
“It was a hiccup.”
“Are you certain?”
“I gave birth to her.”
“I've read seven books.”
“And somehow become less calm with each one.”
Dominic adjusted the blanket.
“Preparedness is important.”
“You called the pediatrician because she sneezed twice.”
“It was suspicious.”
Khloe laughed again.
Four months earlier, she couldn't imagine laughter becoming ordinary.
Now it lived in her home.
The trial lasted three weeks.
Vanessa testified first.
She admitted the affair.
Admitted helping Derek conceal transactions before understanding their criminal nature.
Then surrendered every email.
Khloe testified for two days.
Derek's attorney tried portraying her as vindictive.
“Mrs. Bennett, isn't it true you began a romantic relationship with Dominic Moretti while still legally married?”
Khloe remained calm.
“My relationship with Dominic began after I separated from Derek.”
“But he kissed you publicly before that separation was legally finalized.”
“Yes.”
“Would you call that faithful?”
Khloe looked toward Derek.
“No.”
The courtroom shifted.
The attorney hadn't expected agreement.
Khloe continued.
“I would call it the moment I stopped allowing fear to determine my decisions.”
The attorney frowned.
“That's not what I asked.”
“You asked whether I was faithful.”
“Yes.”
“Then no. My marriage had already been destroyed by abuse, infidelity, threats and financial crimes. A kiss did not destroy it.”
The prosecutor later presented the ledger.
Derek's handwriting connected payments to shell companies.
Curtis Vale's payment appeared beside a notation regarding Khloe's vehicle.
Another payment connected Derek to the marina employee who disabled safety equipment on Evan's boat.
The strongest evidence came from Derek himself.
The warehouse confrontation had been recorded.
During his rage, he admitted enough to corroborate the financial conspiracy and his efforts to destroy evidence.
The jury deliberated nine hours.
Guilty.
Multiple counts.
Fraud.
Conspiracy.
Obstruction.
Financial crimes.
And charges connected to Curtis and Evan that would continue through separate proceedings.
Khloe felt no triumph when Derek was taken away.
Only exhaustion.
Outside the courthouse, reporters shouted.
Dominic shielded Elena from the cameras but not Khloe.
He understood she didn't want to hide.
A reporter shouted:
“Mrs. Bennett! Do you have anything to say to Derek Hale?”
Khloe stopped.
Dominic looked at her.
She turned toward the cameras.
“For years, I thought surviving meant enduring whatever someone did to me.”
She paused.
“I was wrong.”
Then she walked away.
That evening, Vanessa came to the apartment.
She stood awkwardly near the doorway holding a small gift.
“For Elena.”
Khloe opened it.
A handmade blanket.
“Thank you.”
Vanessa swallowed.
“I don't expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
Vanessa nodded.
“I deserve that.”
Khloe studied her.
Then she stepped aside.
“But you can come inside.”
Vanessa looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because forgiveness and pretending nothing happened aren't the same thing.”
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“I was cruel to you.”
“Yes.”
“I believed him because believing him gave me what I wanted.”
“Yes.”
“I hate who I was.”
Khloe shook her head.
“Then don't be her anymore.”
Vanessa cried.
Sofia appeared from the kitchen carrying wine.
She looked at Vanessa.
“Are we emotionally healing?”
Vanessa blinked.
“I think so.”
“Excellent. I brought carbohydrates.”
Dominic entered carrying Elena.
“Why is everyone crying?”
Sofia pointed at him.
“Because women possess emotions.”
“I possess emotions.”
“You alphabetized the baby's medicine cabinet.”
“That was an emotion.”
Khloe laughed so hard she nearly woke Elena.
Later, when everyone left, she stood beside the nursery window.
Dominic joined her.
“Happy?”
he asked.
Khloe thought carefully.
“Learning.”
He smiled.
“I'll accept that.”
She leaned against him.
Then noticed an envelope on the dresser.
“What is that?”
Dominic suddenly looked nervous.
Dominic Moretti.
Nervous.
Khloe narrowed her eyes.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“That is the least convincing answer you've ever given me.”
She opened the envelope.
Inside was a deed.
A house in Evanston.
Owner:
Khloe Harper Bennett.
Only Khloe.
She looked up.
“Dominic.”
“No conditions.”
“You bought me a house?”
“I bought Elena's mother options.”
Her throat tightened.
“If you never want to live there, sell it. If you want to live there without me, do that.”
“Without you?”
“I want you to know you never need to stay because you have nowhere else to go.”
Khloe stared at him.
This man understood.
More than flowers could say.
More than diamonds.
More than promises.
She kissed him.
When they separated, Dominic whispered:
“There is one problem.”
“What?”
“I may have accidentally purchased the property next door.”
Khloe stared.
“Dominic!”
“It has excellent security.”
“You bought the house next door?”
“I like the neighborhood.”
She threw a pillow at him.
May you like
For once, the sound filling Khloe's home wasn't fear.
It was laughter.
