Three weeks after the hearing, Sarah calls with news.
"The Chen family withdrew their appeal."
I nearly drop my coffee. "What?"
"Elena Kovács testified to federal investigators about your mother's financial fraud. The Chen family is facing criminal charges in Hong Kong. They can't afford the scrutiny of a prolonged custody battle right now." Sarah's voice is triumphant. "It's over, Bella. Really over. The trust distribution is final."
I sink onto the couch. "I won."
"You won."
After I hang up, I sit in stunned silence. No more legal battles. No more proving myself. No more waiting.
Just freedom. Complete and absolute.
Lily finds me twenty minutes later, still sitting in the same spot.
"What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"The appeal was withdrawn. It's over. I'm fr
