36. June

Chapter thirty-six

June

T he steady beep of the heart monitor grates on my nerves, a constant reminder that Elaine still breathes. I glare at her unconscious form, tubes and wires snaking from her body like some twisted parody of life support.

"Fucking cockroach," I mutter, my fists clenching at my sides. "Why won't you just die?"

"June." Dante's voice cuts through the red haze of my fury. He stands in the doorway, his face a mask of grim determination. "Step away from the bed."

I laugh, the sound harsh and bitter. "Worried I'll finish what you started, Corleone?"

His eyes narrow, but there's understanding there too. "No. I'm worried you'll do something stupid that'll jeopardize everything we've worked for."

The truth of his words hits me like a punch to the gut. I slump into the chair beside Elaine's bed, suddenly exhausted. "She doesn't deserve to live," I growl, voice raw with emotion.

Dante moves closer, his hand landing on my shoulder. "No, she doesn't. But her survival means justice. Real justice, June. The kind that'll keep her locked away forever."

I nod, the fight draining out of me. He's right, of course. But the primal part of me, the part shaped by years of Elaine's abuse, screams for blood.

"How's Cara?" I ask, desperate to change the subject before I do something I'll regret.

Dante's face softens. "She's good. Tired, but good. Onyx is a little fighter, just like her parents."

The mention of my daughter sends a pang through my chest. I should be with them, not here, wallowing in my need for revenge.

"Go home, June," Dante says, as if reading my thoughts. "Be with your family. Let us handle this."

I stand, casting one last glance at Elaine's unconscious form. "Call me the second anything changes."

"You'll be the first to know," he promises.

The drive home is a blur of conflicting emotions. Relief wars with lingering rage, joy at the thought of seeing Cara and Onyx tempered by the knowledge that Elaine still breathes.

When I walk through the door, the sight that greets me steals my breath. Cara, curled up on the couch, Onyx nestled against her chest. They're both asleep, perfect and peaceful.

I move closer, drinking in the sight of them. Onyx's tiny fist is curled around a lock of Cara's hair, her rosebud mouth working in her sleep. Cara stirs as I approach, her eyes fluttering open.

"Hey," she murmurs, voice husky with sleep. "You're home."

The simple words shatter something inside me. I drop to my knees beside the couch, burying my face in Cara's lap as the first sob wrenches free.

"Shh," Cara soothes, her free hand coming to rest on the back of my neck. "It's okay, baby. We're okay."

I cry then, really cry, for what feels like the first time in years. All the pain, the fear, the rage – it pours out of me in great, heaving sobs.

When I finally lift my head, Cara's looking at me with such love it makes my heart ache. "Feel better?" she asks softly.

I nod, wiping my eyes. "Yeah. I... I'm sorry. For everything."

She shakes her head, cutting off my apology. "No more sorrys. We're here, we're together. That's all that matters."

Onyx chooses that moment to wake, her tiny face scrunching up as she lets out a disgruntled wail. I laugh, the sound watery but genuine.

"Someone's not happy about being left out," I say, reaching for her. Cara passes her over, and I cradle my daughter close, marveling at how small she is, how perfect.

"Hey there, little one," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her downy head. "Daddy's home."

The next few weeks are a whirlwind of legal proceedings and sleepless nights. Amethyst's testimony is the nail in Elaine's coffin, her brave recounting of the horrors she endured leaving no doubt as to the depths of Elaine's depravity.

I sit through every day of the trial, Cara by my side, her hand warm in mine. We watch as Elaine's empire crumbles, her carefully crafted fa?ade stripped away to reveal the monster beneath.

When the verdict comes down – guilty on all counts, life in federal prison without possibility of parole – I feel... nothing. No satisfaction, no relief. Just a bone-deep weariness.

"It's over," Cara whispers, squeezing my hand. "We won."

I nod, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. But all I can think about is Onyx, waiting for us at home. About the life we have ahead of us, free from Elaine's shadow.

As we leave the courthouse, dodging reporters and flashing cameras, I pull Cara close. "Let's go home," I say, suddenly desperate to see our daughter. "I need... I need to hold her."

Cara's eyes soften with understanding. "Of course. Home it is."

The drive is quiet, each of us lost in our own thoughts. But when we walk through the door and I see Onyx in my mother's arms, something inside me finally settles.

"There's my girl," I breathe, reaching for her. She coos as I lift her, her tiny hands patting my face.

"How'd it go?" my mother asks, her eyes searching our faces.

"It's done," Cara says simply. "She's going away for good."

My mother nods, satisfaction and relief warring on her face. "Good. That's... that's good."

I look down at Onyx, at her innocent face and bright eyes. She'll never know the pain we've endured, the scars we carry. And in that moment, I make a silent vow.

No more vengeance. No more letting the past dictate our future. From this moment on, every decision I make will be for her. For our family.

"I love you," I tell Cara, meaning it more than I ever have before. "Both of you. You're everything to me."

Cara's eyes fill with tears as she wraps her arms around us, completing our little circle. "We love you too," she murmurs. "Always."

The days blend into a routine of feedings, diaper changes, and stolen moments of rest. Life with a newborn is exhausting and exhilarating in equal measure. Onyx's every coo, every smile, is a balm to our wounded hearts.

One evening, as the sun sets in a blaze of orange and pink, we settle into the couch, Onyx asleep in her crib. The house is quiet, a peaceful lull that feels almost foreign after the chaos of recent months.

"Feels strange, doesn't it?" Cara murmurs, her head resting on my shoulder.

I nod, wrapping an arm around her. "Yeah. Like we're finally coming up for air."

She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. "Do you think... do you think we can really move on from this? From everything Elaine did?"

I take a deep breath, considering my words carefully. "I think it's going to take time. And a lot of work. But yeah, I think we can. We have to. For Onyx."

Cara nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "For Onyx."

We sit in comfortable silence, watching the last rays of sunlight fade away. The room grows darker, the only light coming from the soft glow of the lamp beside us.

Just as we're about to head to bed, a sound shatters the quiet. A creak of floorboards. My heart leaps into my throat.

"Did you hear that?" I whisper, already rising to my feet.

Cara's eyes widen with fear. "June... what if...?"

I hold up a hand, motioning for her to stay quiet. Moving silently, I make my way to the hallway, every muscle tensed, every sense on high alert.

Another sound, closer this time. Footsteps.

I reach the end of the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. The silhouette of a figure stands in the doorway, bathed in the dim light from outside.

"Who are you?" I demand, my voice a low growl. "What do you want?"

The figure steps forward, and my blood runs cold. Elaine.

She smiles, a twisted, malevolent grin that chills me to the bone. "Hello, Juniper," she purrs, her voice dripping with venom. "Miss me?"

The world tilts, my mind struggling to process what I'm seeing. She should be in prison. She should be rotting away for the rest of her life.

"How... how are you here?" I stammer, unable to keep the fear out of my voice.

Elaine takes another step closer, her eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Did you really think it would be that easy to get rid of me? Oh, Juniper, you have so much to learn."

I glance back at the living room, where Cara is still frozen in fear, Onyx asleep in her crib. I have to protect them. I have to keep them safe.

"What do you want?" I ask, forcing my voice to steady.

Elaine's smile widens. "I want what I've always wanted. To destroy you. To take everything you love from the moment you were born."

Before I can react, she lunges forward, a glint of metal in her hand. I barely have time to shout a warning before she's upon me, the blade flashing in the dim light.

Cara screams, and the world explodes into chaos.

I throw myself backward, narrowly avoiding the blade. The knife grazes my arm, a sharp sting of pain. Adrenaline surges through me as I scramble to my feet, eyes locked on Elaine.

"You won't win," I hiss, feeling a surge of defiance.

Elaine's laughter is chilling, echoing through the darkened house. "I already have, Juniper."

In the background, I hear Cara's frantic whispers, trying to soothe Onyx's cries. The sound fuels my resolve. I can't let Elaine harm my family. Not again.

With a roar, I charge at Elaine, tackling her to the ground. The knife skitters across the floor, out of reach. We struggle, a tangle of limbs and fury.

"June!" Cara's voice is a beacon, grounding me. I glance up, seeing her standing at the end of the hallway, Onyx clutched protectively to her chest.

Elaine takes advantage of my distraction, landing a hard punch to my side. I grunt in pain but don't let go. I can't let go.

"You're done," I spit, tightening my grip on her throat. "This ends now."

Elaine's laughter bubbles up from deep within her, a sound that sends chills down my spine. "You can't stop me!" she taunts, her voice dripping with malice.

Before I can react, she drives her knee into my stomach with brutal force. Pain explodes through me, stealing my breath. I collapse to the floor, gasping for air.

Elaine kicks me again, her foot connecting with my ribs. I roll over, clutching my side as she stands over me, a triumphant sneer on her face.

"You really thought you could beat me?" she spits, her voice filled with contempt. "Pathetic."

I struggle to my knees, my vision blurring with tears of pain and frustration. Cara's frantic cries fill the air, but I can't focus on her. I have to stop Elaine. I have to protect my family.

Elaine turns her back on me, moving toward the living room. Toward Cara and Onyx. Panic surges through me, giving me the strength to rise to my feet.

"Elaine!" I shout, my voice raw and desperate.

She pauses, glancing back at me with a smirk. "What, Juniper? Got something else to say before I finish what I started?"

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to stand tall despite the pain. "You'll never win. I'll make sure of it."

Elaine laughs, a cold, hollow sound. "We'll see about that."

She lunges toward Cara, but before she can reach them, the front door bursts open, and a figure steps inside.

"Judith!" I gasp, relief and confusion warring within me. My sister stands there, breathless, her eyes wide with terror.

"June, get away from her!" Judith shouts, her voice trembling. "Mom escaped. She's here to kill us all."

Elaine's face twists into a cruel grin. "Ah, the prodigal daughter returns. Too late, as always."

Judith's gaze locks onto Elaine, her fear transforming into a steely resolve. "Not this time."

Cara, holding a wailing Onyx, backs away slowly, trying to shield our daughter from the unfolding chaos. My heart pounds as I see the terror etched on her face.

Elaine's hand moves to her waistband, and my blood runs cold. "Judith, she's got a—"

Before I can finish, Elaine pulls out a gun, aiming it directly at Cara's head. My world narrows to that one dreadful moment.

"One move, and I blow her brains out," Elaine hisses, her finger curling around the trigger.

Time freezes. The air is thick with dread. My breath catches in my throat, my heart a wild drumbeat of terror.

"Mom, don't do this," Judith pleads, her voice breaking. "You don't have to hurt them."

Elaine's laughter is a twisted mockery of motherly love. "Oh, Judith, you always were the na?ve one."

Judith doesn't hesitate. She steps forward, drawing a pistol from her coat. "Drop it, Mom."

Elaine's eyes widen, but before she can react, Judith pulls the trigger. The shot echoes through the house, a deafening roar of finality.

Elaine stumbles, her gun clattering to the floor. She clutches her chest, eyes wide with shock and rage. Blood seeps through her fingers, staining her clothes.

"Judith," she gasps, her voice a choked whisper. "You... shot me."

But it's not Judith's bullet that delivers the final blow. Dante, who had followed Judith into the room, steps forward, his own gun smoking. "No, that was me," he says coldly.

Elaine's eyes flicker with the realization that her end has come. In her final moment of defiance, she reaches for the fallen knife. But I'm faster.

I grab the blade and drive it into her chest, a primal scream tearing from my throat. "This is for everything you've done. For every moment of pain."

Elaine's body convulses, then goes still. The room falls into a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of my ragged breathing and Onyx's cries.

"It's over," Dante says quietly, holstering his gun. "She's gone."

I collapse to my knees, my hands trembling. Judith rushes to my side, her eyes filled with tears. "June, are you okay?"

I nod numbly, the reality of what just happened slowly sinking in. "Yeah. I think so."

Cara approaches cautiously, still holding Onyx. "June... is it really over?"

I reach out, taking her hand. "Yes. It's over. We're safe now."

Judith stands, wiping her eyes. "I tried to call and warn you, but she must have cut the lines. I'm just glad I got here in time."

"Thank you," I say, my voice breaking. "You saved us."

Dante steps forward, his expression unreadable. "I'll call my people…and I guess we need to call the police too. This needs to be handled properly."

I nod, knowing he's right. But for now, all I can do is hold my family close, feeling the weight of the past lift off my shoulders.

The next few hours are a blur of police reports and questions. Judith and Dante handle most of it, their calm efficiency a lifeline in the chaos. Cara and I sit together, our fingers entwined, finding strength in each other's presence.

As the night wears on, exhaustion seeps into my bones. But with it comes a sense of peace. The nightmare is finally over. Elaine's shadow no longer looms over our lives.

When the police finally leave, and the house is quiet once more, I take Cara and Onyx to bed. We lie together, our daughter nestled between us, her tiny breaths a soothing rhythm.

Cara turns to me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "We made it, June. We're free."

I pull her close, my heart swelling with love and relief. "Yes, we are. And we'll never let anyone take that from us again."

The days that follow are a blur of rebuilding. We strengthen our security, ensuring our home is a fortress. But more importantly, we begin to heal.

Judith stays with us, her presence a reminder of the family we still have. Dante visits often, his friendship a steady anchor in the storm.

One evening, as the sun sets in a blaze of orange and pink, we gather in the living room. Onyx coos in her crib, her innocent eyes reflecting the fading light.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Cara murmurs, resting her head on my shoulder.

I nod, my heart full. "Yes. It really is."

Judith smiles, her eyes softening as she watches us. "I'm so proud of you both. You've come so far."

"Thanks to you," I reply, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "We couldn't have done it without you."

She shakes her head, her expression determined. "We're family, June. We face everything together."

Dante steps forward, his eyes reflecting the same determination. "And we'll protect this family, no matter what."

I look around at the people I love, feeling a profound sense of gratitude. We've been through hell and back, but we've emerged stronger.

"For Onyx," I say, lifting my daughter into my arms. "For our future."

Cara wraps her arms around us, completing our little circle. "For all of us."

The nightmares will fade, the scars will heal, and the memories of Elaine's cruelty will become a distant echo. We will build a life of love and strength, ensuring that Onyx grows up surrounded by the warmth and security we never had.

And in the quiet moments, when the world feels overwhelming, we will remember this night.