Chapter 85

March 1996 - The verdict

Maeve's POV

It took a couple of days for the authorities to analyze the footage of the security camera at Alexander's house that proofed that I was telling the truth.

That was enough proof for the judge to issue a search warrant for the property where the shooting took place. Apparently Alexander's father was right when he said that Alex wasn't ready for the 'big fishes' yet because he fucked this one up. Alexander didn't consider all eventualities when he thought of a plan to get rid of me in case I refused to fulfill his request.

The police found pieces of Jared's clothing as well as his DNA which eventually lead to Alexander receiving his own trial.

As for now, I was impatiently waiting for my verdict to be read.

"Ms. Maeve Harris, please rise!" I did as told and stood up, my eyes glued to the judge.

"The court finds the defendant Ms. Maeve Harris" the judge looked me deep into the eyes before continuing. "Not guilty!"

I let go of the breath I didn't know I was holding before the judge continued "however because of the fact that Ms. Harris was aware of the murder of Mr. Jared Moore the court imposes, under the consideration of Ms. Harris being under threat, a sentence of 100 days in prison!"

Ouch.

My eyes widened because as soon as the footage of Alexander handing me the gun was accepted as evidence I was naive enough to believe that that was it. That I was free.

But every action does have it's consequences and I am well aware that I am no saint. I have my flaws, I make mistakes and sometimes I act without thinking.

Maybe, just maybe I deserve these 100 days.

Michael's POV

"100 DAYS?!" I yelled as soon as I stepped foot on the ground of Neverland.

"Michael, this is actually a pretty good deal!" Greg said, stepping out of the vehicle as well.

"You should've gotten her out!"

"Yes, but what was I supposed to do? Maeve kept secrets! Do you think I liked these surprises? She should've been honest and I could've advised her on the right use of words!" His voice was filled with anger.

"She's lucky the judge accepted the videotape as evidence or else she would spend the rest of her days on death row!" He spat, making me realize he was probably right. Maeve was lucky.

*****

April 1996 - California State Prison

"So, how are you?" I asked as I placed a snickers bar on the table.

A sweet laugh filled the room. "You know I do get food here, right?" Maeve let me know but she still accepted the chocolate.

Because of the incidents at Los Angeles County Jail, Maeve was moved to California State Prison to serve her sentence.

"You don't look so pale anymore" I stated to which she nodded.

"I don't feel so weak anymore!"

"That's good. That's good!" I spoke absentmindedly.

"What are you thinking of, Michael?" Maeve's head tilted to the side as she stared at me.

"Was the pregnancy test really negative or were you lying to me?" I looked deep into her eyes. The thought of having another baby accompanied throughout my whole marriage with Lisa-Marie that ended with me finding out she lied to me throughout our whole relationship. So I guess you could say this was a sensitive topic to me.

Maeve reached for my hand and gave it a light squeeze before she nodded.

"I'm sorry Michael. It was probably the stress that made me loose my period. I know you would've loved to have another child. But I want to be honest with you..." Maeve sighed before she continued.

"I would have gotten an abortion if the test came back positive!"

"You would've what?!" I asked, immediately pulling my hands away from hers as I looked at her in shock.

"Maeve! I know it wasn't the ideal situation but we could've-"

"No, Michael stop!" She interrupted me. "My decision has absolutely nothing to do with prison! I cannot be pregnant again, fearing every day that something might go wrong! I cannot go through another miscarriage. I cannot have another stillborn and no one can guarantee me that everything will be okay! So no, I wouldn't want to have another baby!"

"You can't just have an abortion! What about my feelings? What about what I want?" I protested.

"Michael! There never was a child! Why are we fighting?" Maeve whined.

"I don't know..." I sighed but my mind was still occupied with the whole baby drama. I wasn't ready to find peace in having no more children. I wasn't done yet.

*****

July 1996 - LA

The attention Maeve's trial had received started to die down soon after the true defendant was found. But although Maeve's innocence was proven, her public image had suffered significantly.

Not only that, but also most of her hotels, especially in the US, are closed down by now. Her being absent for about 6 months was enough for the company to break down. Experts claim that the company'll go bankrupt soon.

However, this morning Maeve has been released from prison but she didn't want me to come pick her up. Instead Sean was there to get her, at least that's what I saw on the news.

It was already late in the afternoon when I made my way towards her house. But Ava told me Maeve already left but didn't tell where she went to.

Maeve's POV

After I opened the doors to the wardrobe I hoped the emergency bag I hid many many months ago was still there.

Moving some T-shirts aside I finally found what I was looking for.

"Maeve?"

My head hit the the inside of the wardrobe as I jumped lightly at my name being called. I closed my eyes, silently cursing that Michael found me, ruining the plan to secretly disappear.

"How did you find me?" I said pulling out the bag. As I stood up my eyes met Michael's before his jumped to the bag in my hand that I put over my shoulder.

"Are you... going somewhere?" He sounded surprised but I just shrugged my shoulders.

There was no plan. The only thing I knew was that I needed to leave. It was all too much for me, I needed some distance.

"What about our children?" Michael looked at me, his eyes started to get teary.

Please don't make this any harder.

"What about us?" he then asked, catching me off guard.

There's one thing I realized in prison. I didn't appreciate Michael enough and everything he did in order to protect me from the public at the time. It's like I did understand the consequences and at the same time I had absolutely no idea.

Arrogance. I wasn't satisfied with what I had, what we had and by wanting more, I ruined it all.

It was perfect. My life was perfect but I was too blind to see. Now I paid the price.

"You'll be fine Michael" I spoke as I put my hand on his cheek catching the tear that escaped his eyes.

Leave now or you won't get another chance to.

"I'll be back before you leave for your tour to take the kids." I said before quietly exiting the room, leaving Michael behind in Emily's room.

By the look on his face, I could tell that he knew I wasn't coming back anytime soon.