As the judge spoke, the courtroom went quiet. “The annulment was forced due to lies told in the courtroom during the initial case. Those who instigated the lies and carried them forth will be held legally accountable. Based on the facts and what I’ve witnessed today, I’m overturning the annulment. The marriage is valid and a new certificate will be issued.”

Taylor looked to Jude, a broad smile on his face. She smiled just as big. Life was becoming as it should be—perfect. Their love would always go beyond this existence, but it was nice to get the legal stamp of approval.

She was swooped into his arms and covered in kisses. Her laughter rang out, filling the courtroom. “Free,” she said. Finally. She was free from evil, free to live, free to love.

When Taylor set Jude’s feet on the ground again, Caleb hugged her. He wasn’t a hugger but this was a wrong that had been righted and his emotions seemed to get the better of him. A loud commotion caused Caleb to release her and step out from behind the table. Taylor took Jude by the waist and moved her safely behind him.

Brewster Boehler stood in rage and yelled at his legal team. “She’s crazy! She’ll try to kill herself again. Her death rests on your shoulders.” When Leslie touched his back, shock firmly implanted like Botox in her face, he knocked her hand away. “Get away from me.”

Jude watched in horror as the dramatics played out. Had she never meant anything to him? He had raised her half her life. He had claimed this all started like most crimes—opportunity presenting itself. But watching him now, she knew there was never love in his heart for her. Like a burden that had weighed her down, knowing how he truly felt freed her from the guilt she felt for not loving him.

Slowly, a smile appeared. She couldn’t stop it though she thought it was probably inappropriate. It grew even bigger with that thought until she laughed out loud, unable to hide her joy.

Hazel and Caleb looked at her, and like Hazel and Jude’s determination to be together, her happiness was contagious.

Two light laughs were heard behind her and she turned to see smiles on Isla’s and her mother’s faces, along with tears in their eyes.

Isla’s words were rushed as if she was racing the onslaught of tears before they fell. “I’m sorry, Judith. I had no idea, and then when I did, I didn’t know how to deal with it.” Some heavy emotion struck her suddenly and she grabbed her stomach as if she was going to be ill. “What my father did to you… I blamed you, but I should have blamed him. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

When her heart hurdled over the betrayal and she left the deceit in the past, Jude’s heart grew, as did the family she could rely on. With a small, sympathetic smile, Jude replied, “Let’s move forward. The past is too ugly to dwell on.” The cousins, who were divided by deaths and lies, were reunited in truth and hope. They embraced.

When they parted, Jude’s mother was waiting patiently. Their eyes connected and both women became teary. She didn’t want to play any more emotional games with anyone. She was too tired and was ready to be happy, so she just hugged her.

Her mother was behind her when it counted and that was all Jude needed to know to forgive what her mother considered the unforgiveable. The two women agreed they would rebuild their relationship at Jude’s pace. But Jude never did anything slow, there was too much life to live for that. “Maybe the four of us can have dinner this week?”

Isla agreed and Jude’s mother said, “We have a lot to celebrate.”

Hazel’s hand tightened around Jude’s side, and he whispered, “It’s time to go.”

When they reached the aisle, Jude cut across the front of three chairs and hugged her mother once more. Her mother started crying and said, “I’m sorry.”

“I am too,” Jude replied. I am too.

Outside the courthouse, Caleb stood before the couple. “This might be the sweetest victory I’ve ever had.”

Hazel smiled, but Jude spoke. “It might even be sweeter than ice cream.”

“Or jellybeans,” added Hazel.

She laughed. “No, love, nothing is sweeter than jellybeans. Now as for those popcorn ones, which are savory… well that’s a whole other conversation.”

“Indeed, a discussion for another day.”

Caleb said, “And you have plenty of days ahead.” He shook Taylor’s hand and then took Jude’s between both of his. “You’re a strong woman. Always remember that.”

She reached up and hugged him. “Thank you for everything.”

“Thank you. Now go live your happiness.”

Leaning against Hazel, she replied, “I already am.”

THE TWO LOVEBIRDS, once married, then denied their love, then once again recognized as married, walked down the street holding hands a month after living in splendid freedom. They didn’t speak, but their feet led them both to the same place. Like their hearts, they were in sync. Taylor sat on the bench and pulled his pretty little double dipper onto his lap, and asked, “Did you ever decide what kind of ice cream I was?”

“Of course. I knew the first day I met you.”

“Was this before I ordered pistachio or after?”

With a wry smile engaged on her lips and her arms around his neck, she gazed into his eyes. “After, but the fact you ordered pistachio was wrong in the first place.”

“Why are you so harsh on pistachio?” he teased.

“Pistachio is fine… but it’s just not your flavor,” she said with absolute confidence.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose against hers, then kissed the end of it. “What flavor am I, Jude?”

She stood up. “C’mon, let’s go get ice cream and I’ll let you decide if I’m right.”

They walked to the nearest location of her favorite ice cream chain and holding two fingers up, she ordered, “Two mocha chocolate-chip ice creams on sugar cones, please.”

He asked, “Mocha chocolate-chip, huh?”

“Just wait.”

When they walked out onto the sidewalk, they stopped and both took a lick, but Taylor took an additional bite as well. “So?” she asked.

“You used to be rocky road. What happened?”

“I found it too precarious. I thought mocha chocolate-chip suited me better.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re mocha chocolate-chip.”

He grabbed her in a bear hug and brought her closer to kiss the back of her head as she giggled. “You know what?”

“What?”

“I’m okay with this answer. Now let’s get going. I want to show you something.”

She eyed him suspiciously. “Is this a penis joke?”

Taylor did a double take in surprise. “Wow, freedom suits you. You’re just gonna let it all hang out.”

She laughed and it was hearty, then she took another lick of her ice cream. “There’s no stopping me now.”

As they walked, he said, “And by the way, it’s no joke when it comes to my penis.”

“You’re telling me!” She quirked a smile and kept walking, leaving him entertained, and entirely enchanted by her.

They had covered three blocks when she asked, “Can we make a pit stop before home?”

When he agreed he didn’t realize her “pit stop” meant twelve Manhattan blocks and to the stoop of her past. “Why are we here?” he asked, keeping her two doors down from her family’s brownstone.

“I need to say goodbye—”

“To what? A room where you were held prisoner for years? A family that tormented you and stole your life? What Jude? What do you have to say goodbye to?” He didn’t understand any of this and his anxiety of being here made his temper flair.

“I need to say goodbye to Roman.”

Taylor’s anger sank into remorse. He grabbed her and held her to him. “I’m sorry.”

She wrapped her arms around him knowing he needed the hug more than she did. “No need to be. I understand your fear. I should have explained.”