Chapter 3 How Many Years

"How many years in prison are enough to pay for my fiancée's life?!"

Ethan followed the case closely until it finally went to trial. A cold, mocking smile spread across his face when he saw Ashley being led into the courtroom. Her hands were locked in handcuffs, and she wore a faded prison uniform. Two correctional officers guided her every step.

"How fitting," Ethan muttered with undisguised hatred.

His gaze dropped to Ashley's legs, now fully healed and steady as she walked. He let out a contemptuous snort. He hated the fact that those legs had recovered. He would have preferred to see Ashley crawling through darkness for the rest of her life.

Seated beside him, Caleb studied Ashley with curiosity. "Is she blind?" he asked after noticing her stumble over the chair in front of her.

"Interesting, isn't it?" Ethan replied with a devilish smile of satisfaction.

Caleb continued watching in disbelief. He had never imagined the woman who had driven his best friend to the brink of madness would be so young, so frail, and so helpless.

His eyes followed Ashley until she took her seat at the defendant's table. "Where's her family?"

Ethan turned sharply toward him. "Why do you care?"

"She looks... pitiful."

"Maybe you'd like to become her legal guardian?" Ethan shot back sarcastically, his jaw tightening. It was bad enough that Victoria and Julian had shown the woman special concern. The last thing he wanted was for Caleb to do the same.

"I'm just concerned." Caleb raised both hands in surrender. "Whoever's guilty still deserves to be punished," he added quickly, hoping to calm Ethan down.

Ethan turned his attention back to the courtroom.

"Was she blind before the accident, or did she lose her eyesight because of it?" Caleb asked again.

"What a stupid question. Does it make any sense for a blind woman to drive a car and kill someone?"

"Kill? That's a bit extreme, don't you think?"

"Then what would you call it when Chloe is no longer by my side?" Ethan shot him a murderous glare.

The judge's gavel struck the bench. The judge entered the courtroom, and everyone was instructed to stand. Caleb quietly exhaled in relief, grateful to have escaped another explosion from Ethan.

The trial began. Guided by the two correctional officers, Ashley was helped into the defendant's seat. The courtroom immediately erupted in whispers as everyone realized the defendant was completely blind.

Ashley heard the hushed conversations, the insults, and the voices filled with pity rising behind her. She clenched the fabric of her prison uniform, trying to steady her nerves.

Seeing Ashley's rigid, tense posture, Ethan curled his lips into a satisfied smile. He relished every second of the psychological pressure crushing her.

The prosecutor rose to his feet. Ethan straightened in his seat, eager to hear the sentence being sought against Ashley.

"Case Number 402. Fatal traffic collision involving the defendant, Ashley Hilton." The prosecutor began reading the details of the date, time, and location of the incident. Ashley gave a small nod, confirming every detail without objection.

"Did you know the victim, Miss Chloe Vance?"

Ashley slowly shook her head. "No."

"According to the CCTV footage, your vehicle and Miss Chloe's vehicle were seen chasing each other. Your car intentionally sideswiped the victim's vehicle, causing her to lose control and plunge into the ravine."

Ashley remained silent. Even after the prosecutor repeated the question three times, not a single word left her lips.

"We will take your silence as an admission of these allegations," the prosecutor continued. "The reckless actions of the defendant, Ashley Hilton, resulted in the loss of an innocent life. This is an undeniable truth that cannot be forgiven. Therefore, the prosecution seeks a sentence of five years in prison for the defendant, Ashley Hilton."

The judge's gavel came down, making the sentence official.

Ashley did not shed a single tear. To Ethan, her composure was proof that she was a coldhearted woman without a conscience.

The trial was adjourned. Ashley was escorted out once again by the two correctional officers. Ethan stood at the edge of the aisle, his eyes fixed on her as she approached. The moment she passed beside him, he deliberately stretched out his foot.

Ashley stumbled and crashed onto the marble floor.

"Ah!" Ashley grimaced, struggling to suppress the pain.

Before she could get back up, Ethan deliberately brought the heel of his leather shoe down on the back of her hand, pressing down with all his weight.

Without a trace of guilt, Ethan walked away, leaving the courtroom at an unhurried pace.

Caleb, who had witnessed the entire incident, shook his head. As soon as Ethan disappeared through the courtroom doors, he hurried over to Ashley.

"What are you doing? Why are you just standing there?" Caleb scolded the two correctional officers, who had frozen in place. Kneeling beside Ashley, he helped her to her feet. "Are you all right?"

Tears welled in Ashley's eyes as unbearable pain throbbed through the back of her hand. Even so, she slowly shook her head.

"Thank you. I'm fine," she replied hoarsely.

"Put an ice pack on her hand immediately and give her medication before it swells," Caleb instructed the two correctional officers.

"Thank you..." Ashley whispered once more.

The officers resumed guiding Ashley toward the prison transport vehicle, taking her to her new home, a prison cell.

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