Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 249

Chapter 0109

BRAYDON’S POV

“On Count One,” Judge Harmon announces, “kidnapping and unlawful detention of the complainant. The court finds the defendant guilty.”

Katy’s grip on my hand tightens. Before we arrived at court, I always assumed I wouldn’t be nervous, and no matter the outcome, I’m alive and I’ve got everything I wanted. But there’s something that happens when you sit in a room and watch your father be read his crimes out loud. It isn’t grief exactly. It’s closer to finding out the ground you’ve been standing on your whole life was just the foundation to hell.

I have his jaw, his nose and most parts of him. I don’t know what to do with that today, sitting here, and watching him stand like none of this matters.

I know I’m not him. I’ve always known that. But knowing it and feeling it are two different things, and right now the difference between them is very small. I can’t help but wonder if there’s a reason he’s my father.

“On Count Two,” the judge continues, “attempted murder of one Miss Katy Evans based on forensic

evidence, witness testimony, and medical reports confirming intent to kill…”

My old man lifts his gaze at me and our eyes lock.

“… the court finds the defendant guilty.”

I drag my gaze away and look at Katy, lifting her hand to press a soft kiss to it. She probably feels this too and maybe even worse than I do. My family was supposed to be a refuge for her, something steady to hold

onto after growing up without one of her own. Instead, I gave her this.

“On Count Three,” the judge says, “conspiracy to commit murder in furtherance of estate acquisition and unlawful inheritance control, the court finds the defendant guilty.”

The exhale that leaves me feels like I’ve been holding it for months. Maybe I have.

My old man doesn’t like someone who knows he’s heading to jail for the rest of his life. He just stands as

if he’s waiting for a business meeting to wrap up, and I think that’s what gets me most. The lack of remorse like it’s something he can do again.

She smiles warmly. “I’ll always do anything for you.”

“I love you.” I whisper. “With all my heart.”

“And I love you more, Braybear.” She smirks, then gestures to the bench. “We should listen.”

I nod, facing the judge again. It takes me a few minutes to come back to myself enough to actually process the rest of what was read into the record.

The other sentences: the board members who worked with my old man and signed off on documents they knew were fraudulent…each of them got between three and seven years depending on their level of involvement. A couple of the minor ones got suspended sentences with heavy fines and mandatory cooperation clauses. It isn’t everything I’d wanted for them, but it’s enough because it closes the door.

And then there’s Bryan’s mother. She got one year for being an accomplice, for knowing, for staying quiet, and for the things she had signed and the calls she had made. Plus two hundred hours of community service.

I scan the room until I find Bryan standing near the back wall, and I watch his face when he hears it. He closes his eyes for exactly two seconds and I can tell he has already prepared himself and is simply accepting it. After all, he wasn’t included in the sentencing because he testified against our old man and provided evidence that was important.

He looks in my direction and our gaze meets for some seconds. I don’t know what I expect but it’s definitely not a nod, especially when I don’t know what it means. But for now, I hope it’s in good faith.