Eleanor also accepted a plea resulting in incarceration followed by supervision.

Marcus’s professional credentials were severely affected, and he faced criminal penalties tied to the false notarization.

Chloe received probationary conditions after cooperating and providing truthful evidence.

None of it felt triumphant.

Mostly, it felt final.

PART 22 — CLARA

Clara arrived six months after the backyard.

Healthy.

Loud.

Angry at being born.