Chapter 27
"David," Emily continued, ensuring every word landed like a physical blow, "has already signed a full confession implicating you in the espionage plot in exchange for a plea deal. He abandoned you, Jessica. Just like Michael abandoned his daughters. The men in your family are cowards." Jessica began to sob violently, the realization of her total, absolute isolation crashing down on her. She had no money, no home, no husband, and no son. She was entirely alone, facing the rest of her miserable life in a concrete cell. "Please, Emily," Jessica begged, her voice cracking as she groveled against the metal table. "I'm an old woman! I'll die in prison! Please, show some mercy!" Emily stood up straight, her classic movie-star elegance completely restored. She looked at the weeping, broken woman who had tormented her for five long years. "Mercy," Emily said softly, the crisp American accent laced with profound disgust, "is a privilege reserved for people who do not throw cold food at three-year-old girls." Without another word, Emily turned her back on her former mother-in-law. She walked out of the interrogation room, the heavy steel door slamming shut behind her with a definitive, metallic thud. The echoes of Jessica's frantic, desperate screams faded entirely as Emily stepped back out into the bright, cinematic sunlight of the city streets. The war was officially over.
