“This is one of the most calculated betrayals I have seen in this courtroom,” the judge said.

“You used your position as a mother to poison a pregnant woman.”

“You tried to steal a newborn baby from her mother’s side.”

“You have shown no regret for your actions.”

The judge picked up his pen.

“I sentence you to twenty-five years in the state penitentiary.”

“With no possibility of parole until you have served eighty-five percent.”

A soft gasp went through the courtroom.

My mother’s lawyer closed his eyes.

My mother was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

She did not look back.

The heavy wooden doors closed behind her.

I turned to Megan and drew her into my arms.

She was crying, but her shoulders were relaxed for the first time in months.

“It is over,” I whispered.

“She is gone.”

We walked out of the courthouse into the bright winter afternoon.

The sun was shining, reflecting off the snow on the plaza.

The air was freezing, but it felt clean.

We drove back to Pilsen in silence.

When we got home, the apartment was warm.