Page 89 of Client Privilege

The jury deliberated for less than two hours.

“On the count of assault causing bodily harm, how do you find?” Judge Collins asked.

“Guilty,” the forewoman announced.

“On the count of breaking and entering…”

“Guilty.”

“Criminal harassment…”

“Guilty.”

“Jury tampering…”

“Guilty.”

As the verdicts continued—guilty on all counts—Marcus stood rigid, his face a mask of disbelief. When the final verdict was read, he turned to look at me, his expression twisted with such hatred that I instinctively shrank back.

“This is a travesty,” he snarled, his composure finally shattering completely. “Do you know who I am? I’ve dined with prime ministers! I’ve funded hospitals! And you believe this… this nobody over me?”

“Mr. Delaney, control yourself,” Judge Collins warned.

“This isn’t over,” Marcus spat, his gaze fixed on me. “You think you’ve won? You’re nothing without me. Nothing!”

“Remove the defendant,” Judge Collins ordered, and two court officers moved to restrain Marcus, who struggled against their grip.

“I made you!” he shouted as they dragged him toward the door. “I can destroy you just as easily!”

As the doors closed behind him, cutting off his threats, I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Victoria squeezed my arm gently.

“It’s over, Alex. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

I nodded, tears blurring my vision. “What happens to Buster?”

“He’s at the animal hospital being treated. You can pick him up tomorrow.”

I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by relief and exhaustion. After years of captivity and weeks of legal battles, it was finally, truly over. Marcus would go to prison. Buster would come home. And I would be free to rebuild my life without looking over my shoulder.

When I opened my eyes, I found Damian watching me from across the courtroom, his expression a mix of professional satisfaction and something deeper, more personal. He gave me a small nod that somehow conveyed everything words couldn’t—pride, relief, and thepromise of something new beginning now that this chapter had closed.

For the first time in years, I allowed myself to think about the future without fear shadowing every thought. It stretched before me, uncertain but full of possibilities that had seemed impossible just days ago.

I was free.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Alex

I STOODoutside the Toronto Animal Services East Region shelter, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst through my chest. After everything that had happened in court—Marcus’s conviction, the revelation that Buster had been found locked in a room in Marcus’s apartment—this moment felt surreal.

“Are you ready?” Damian asked, his voice gentle beside me.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The day after the trial had concluded, we’d received the call that Buster had been transferred here from the animal hospital. He was stable, recovering, and ready to come home.

Home. The word still felt foreign on my tongue.

Inside, the shelter smelled of disinfectant and pet food. A woman with kind eyes greeted us from behind the counter.