Chapter 8: The Aftermath of Fire
The press conference didn't just clear Audrey’s name; it turned Dominic and Natalie into the most hated couple in the country. The hashtag #JusticeForDominic was instantly replaced by #IncarcerateDominic.
As they tried to flee the hospital auditorium through the back exit, they were met not by reporters, but by Detective Vance (no relation) and three officers from the Financial Crimes Division of the police department.
"Dominic Miller?" the detective said, producing a pair of handcuffs. "You are under arrest for grand larceny, identity theft, and fraudulent transfer of trust funds under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act."
"No! Wait! It was a marital asset!" Dominic screamed as his hands were violently pulled behind his back, the cold steel clicking into place.
"Your wife was comatose, sir. The signature on the wire transfer was forged via an electronic token you stole from her purse while she was in surgery. We have the hospital IP address log proving you did it from the waiting room while she was fighting for her life."
Natalie screamed as a female officer stepped up to her. "Ma'am, you are being detained as an accessory to grand larceny and for possession of stolen property funded by a criminal enterprise. Step forward."
As they were led out of the hospital in handcuffs, a crowd of protesters—the very same people who had been fooled by their video the day before—pelted them with plastic water bottles and shouted curses at them.
From the third-floor window of the VIP wing, Audrey stood next to her grandfather, watching the police cruisers drive away with sirens wailing.
"It's over, Audrey," Arthur said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "They will both face federal charges. Marcus ensures me Dominic is looking at a minimum of twelve to fifteen years in a federal penitentiary. Natalie will likely face house arrest and heavy probation due to her pregnancy, but she will never touch a dime of our family’s wealth, and her child will be monitored by family courts."
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Audrey let out a long, deep breath. The anger tha
t had sustained her for weeks finally melted away, replaced by a profound sense of peace. "Good. Now... I want to forget they ever existed. I have two beautiful reasons to look forward to the future."
