My dear little broccolis💚💚💚,

💚 So, this is me doing a favour to the same someone who PMed me and asked to upload two of my stories with the FSOG names. I already did it for Forbidden Fruit, and now, here comes the second. The original fic is published under the Mortal Instruments franchise. If you're one of my old readers, well, you already know this story, so only read it if you want to read it with other characters in mind; if you're a new reader, well hang on and let's see how this Ana and Christian work in here.

💚 I know, it is the shortest chapter we've had in this story, but I couldn't make it longer, I had to stop where it will stop.

💚 Also, for the person asking why the police haven't done anything when Carla has been stabbed by Michael. Remember that the PI made a point on telling Franklin that Michael's father was the Chief of Police in a small town, and that was why he only brought the case Banner, and no one else. Because Banner had been in charge to find Ana, but never really looked for her (because he knew she was better off)

Chapter 31 ~ Verdict (1,7K)

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Ana's PoV.

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As I am looking at the jury's president holding a piece of paper in his hands, I can feel my heart knocking against my ribcage as if it is going to escape from it. Today is finally the day of the verdict, and I can honestly say that I've never been this anxious about anything else in my whole life.

Yesterday, after Christian finished questioning my mother on the stand, he and Flynn disappeared once again into the Judge's office, before they all came back and the Judge said that the case was now enough dealt with and that the jury's deliberations were opened. Both Franklin and Christian seemed rather confident on this turn of events, but I am not. I know how it works. No matter what, Michael still had the super expensive and famous lawyer who'd never failed, and I am just... me. How many other girls have been through the same tumultuous series of events for nothing? All I hope at this moment is that I won't have to go back to live with him. If I ask Franklin, maybe he'll file for custody of me. I know that he recognised me, but I don't know if he asked to have me, full time.

As the man slightly clears his throat, taking his own sweet time to read that ridiculously small paper that is in his hands, I swiftly glance behind me. Lily is right behind us, standing like everyone, and next to her are Christian's parents, along with Kate and Mrs Lincoln. They flew together all the way here, very early this morning even though I told Kate that she didn't have to. But I won't lie, having the two of them for me here, warms my heart, no matter the outcome of today.

Christian and Franklin are standing on both my sides, and I know that my Mom is on the bench reserved to witnesses. But my eyes are fixated on the jury's president. Why is he taking so long to tell us their decision? Or is he going to tell us that he needs more time? I can't even recall if the Judge asked if they reached to a decision.

I can feel Franklin gently trying to calm me by resting his hand on my shoulder, but I become stiff, the moment we touch. Is it a way for him to tell me that he read the signs and that the jury decided to believe Flynn's story? Is he trying to help me beforehand by subtly telling me that I lost?

"For the charges of Corruption of a Minor," The man finally starts, and I literally hold my breath. "The defendant is declared innocent."

I knew it. I knew that they were going to side with the super-powerful lawyer. I can feel tears building in my eyes as I realise that this simple sentence can actually make me go back to the Hell hole. Maybe not for long, but for the time being of Franklin filing for my custody, I will have to go back. And I won't! I don't want to ever go back to that dreadful place.

Maybe if I run now, I will be able to make myself a whole new life. I could cut my hair, even dye it, and try to fake an accent. Pretend that I am from Canada or even England. I should really change my name, and try to go by … Jane Smith or something, and become a whole new person. Sure I would have to leave my friends behind, as well as Christian and Franklin … but I wouldn't have to go back to the Hellhole, and it's all that matters.

Briefly, I glance at the big doors, trying to evaluate my chances to get there before anyone understands anything when the jury's president continues: "For the charges of child abuse against the person of Anastasia Wilks, the defendant is declared guilty."

This has the merit to make me focus back all my attention on the jury. But not just the president, the whole twelve of them. And now that I really see them, I have to admit that many of them seem revolted, or even disgusted as they look at Michael. And so, against my better judgment, I finally look over in his direction. I haven't done so since the beginning of the trial, but I don't know why, I feel like I have to do so, now.

"For the charges of rape against the minor, Anastasia Wilks, the defendant is declared as guilty," The president adds, and Michael looks like he just lost everything. He glances over at me; and when he sees that I am watching him, I feel like I am back at being that helpless little girl that I was back then.

I look down, clutching my hands tight together and doing my best to stay strong; but in all honesty, I am completely losing this fight. This is the truth that no trial or verdict will ever be able to erase. He is the strong one, the one who destroyed my body and mind, the one who will always be able to remind me how little, weak and insignificant I am just with one look. And no Law or act of Justice will ever change that.

"The Jury has decided to add to the charges against the defendant the ones of Domestic abuse against the person of Carla Wilks, as well as Attempt to Murder that lead to Carla Wilks's inability to procreate," The president add, making me frown a little. I didn't know that the Jury could add charges like that, but as I glance up at Franklin, I see that he doesn't seem the slightest bit surprised by this manoeuvre. Either that, or he's really good at keeping his poker face on (well, he's a lawyer after all).

I wait for a little, to sure if the jury's president finished reading his little paper; but then, the Judge takes his harmer and knocks once with it before enunciating: "In the case of Anastasia Wilks against Michael Roberts, the defendant is declared guilty as charged. The charges of Domestic Abuse and Attempt of Murder have been added to the case. I sentence you, in the name of the State of *** to the Death Penalty as well a compensation fine to both Miss Anastasia Wilks and Mrs Carla Wilks.

The day of your sentence, as well as the amount of the fines, will be communicated to you in a time limit of fifteen working days. From the time being, you will be contained in the county prison of this State with no visitors allowed, except for your lawyer.

Audience is adjourned."

And then, he knocks three times his hammer on his desk, and those three knocks echo in my brain again and again. I can't believe it. I literally can't believe it. Franklin did tell me that this outcome was likely to happen, Christian kept on asking me to trust in him to make this reality become true; but there is nothing more real than this moment, right now.

They believed me. The world listened to the little me and found Michael guilty for what he did. They believed me.

I can feel Michael's eyes on me, but strangely, I don't feel scared to look back in his direction now. I won't lie, I still feel like that frightened little girl I was back then; but … I don't know … I feel like he can't hurt me anymore. No matter what happens, I am finally free of him. I mean, Franklin briefly explained to me how appeals work, and so I know that even if Michael manages to apply for one, it will be too late and I will already be eighteen at the time. So in any case, I won't have to go back to him in any way. Neither me nor my Mom. He won't be able to reach me, ever again.

I can feel Franklin's hand on my shoulder, gently squeezing me; but all I can do at this right moment is appreciate this little realisation that I just made. I hear behind me Kate cheering for me, but I stay focus on that one thing. Whatever happens, I'll never go back to the Hell Hole. Never. Without being able to stop myself, I smile. Just like a kid. I just simply and plainly smile of relief and look up to the ceiling, resting my hand over Franklin's. I'll never go back to the Hell Hole. I'll never go back to Michael.

This is life.

This is freedom.

My vision blurs a little with tears, freedom pouring through my veins like never before, and when I look down, Christian appears in my vision. So I take his hand in my free one, and say the simple truth, though I want to say more than just this: "Thank you."

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💚Your thoughts and opinions are always welcomed💚

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~ Finally, what we all hoped for happened. Can you believe it? Haha. I hope that you liked this chapter, and Ana's feeling of freedom coming to her. I, for one, liked to write about it. I loved writing about Ana and her feelings, but don't worry, there is more to come. For those wondering, the next chapter will be about Ana and her mother, but not the way you would expect it.

~ Anyway, question times:

1. How do you feel about this verdict?

2. What do you think of Ana's thoughts concerning Michael and his power over her?

3. How do you feel about Christian's parents, as well as Kate and Mrs Lincoln being here?

4. What was your favourite part?

💚Anyway, E.L James owns the names of the characters from the Fifty Shades franchise, everything else is mine.

Love, Mina 💚💚💚