Chapter 6 - The Confession
The criminal trial for Frank’s fraud and breaking-and-entering took place three months later. It was brief. Facing twenty years in federal prison, the prosecution offered him a plea deal: plead guilty to all charges, including the terroristic threats against Jessica, and serve twelve years without the possibility of parole.
He took it.
The day he signed his plea agreement, Jessica received a call from the district attorney. Frank had requested to see her one last time before his transfer to the maximum-security penitentiary upstate.
"You don't have to go," her attorney, Sarah, told her. "You owe him nothing."
"I know," Jessica replied. "But I want to."
Jessica walked into the visitor’s room at the county jail. She sat behind the thick, bulletproof glass. A few moments later, Frank was led into the booth opposite hers. He picked up the heavy black phone receiver.
Jessica picked up hers.
"Why did you come?" Frank asked, his eyes hollow.
"Because I wanted to see you in a cage," Jessica said simply.
Frank let out a dry, humorless laugh. "You won. You got the money. You got the kid. You ruined me."
"You ruined yourself, Frank. I just stopped letting you use my body to break your fall."
Frank leaned closer to the glass. "That $15 million... it's locked in the trust. You can't even touch it for yourself. You're still going to be working double shifts just to pay rent. You have nothing."
Jessica smiled. It was a warm, beautiful, genuine smile.
"Actually, Frank, your father's will was very specific. The money was for Lily's standard of living. Which means the court-appointed trustee just approved the purchase of a beautiful four-bedroom house in a safe, quiet neighborhood, fully owned by the trust. They also approved a generous monthly stipend for Lily's primary caregiver to ensure she has a present, active parent."
Frank’s face turned gray.
"I quit my second job yesterday," Jessica said, her voice light and musical. "I'm starting my own bakery. Lily is going to an incredible private school. We are thriving, Frank. And the best part? Every single dime we spend is the money you thought you could steal."
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Frank slammed his fist against the glass, his face twisting in rage, but the sound was muffled, distant. He was powerless.
"Goodbye, Frank," Jessica said. She hung up the phone, stood up, and walked out of the prison without ever looking back.
