Chapter Text
Weeks had passed, and Beatrice and Ava had grown even closer. Beatrice could no longer deny her feelings. She found herself constantly thinking about what their relationship could become once Ava was free.
Lucia had only been around for the remainder of that week, during which Lilith and Beatrice had put their plan into motion. To Beatrice’s surprise, her asshole colleague had also been escorted out, making her job a little more bearable, though she still didn’t like it.
The team had a massive breakthrough. Since the night at the bar, when Lilith hacked into JC's phone, they had been working non-stop.
They met again to discuss their progress.
“We have enough evidence now that JC was the one who actually murdered my son and framed Ava for it,” Jilian said. “I think the next logical step is to take everything to court and have the case reopened.”
“What about a lawyer?” Lilith asked.
“I’ve already talked to someone who’s willing to take on Ava’s case,” Jilian replied.
“Should we tell Ava yet, or wait? I mean, we don’t want to get her hopes up if the case gets dismissed,” Beatrice said.
Lilith shot her a glance. “You’re really pessimistic, Beatrice. Go talk to Ava and tell her about our progress.”
***
“Hello, Ava, I have some news,” Beatrice greeted her.
Ava looked at Beatrice and beamed. She was happy to see her again.
“Beatrice,” Ava said happily.
“We have enough evidence and can finally take everything to court to have your case reopened.”
“Oh my God, that’s amazing. I can’t thank you enough!”
“Don’t thank me yet. It’s still a long way to go.”
Ava could see that Beatrice was still bothered by something. Lucia was gone, so it couldn’t be that.
“What’s wrong, Bea?”
“I don’t know. I just don’t want to get our hopes up. What if it doesn’t work?”
“Okay, listen to me. I believe it will work, and if not, we tried everything we could, and maybe we can find another way. But let’s just focus on what’s in front of us and worry about the rest another time, okay?”
Beatrice nodded.
“But I understand you. I still can’t believe that maybe I will get out of here. You know the first thing I want to do when I’m free? Eat so much ice cream.”
Beatrice laughed. “Really? Ice cream?”
“Yes! And I want a long, hot shower. The water here is freezing.” Ava just realized that she had no place to stay when she got out.
She grew still after that, thinking about where she could go. Maybe she could ask Jilian if she could stay with her until she found a place of her own.
“Do you have a place to stay?” Beatrice asked.
It was like she could read her mind, Ava thought.
“No, not yet. But, I mean, I still have time to figure that out. What will you do after all of this is over?”
“I will quit my job here. I never wanted to work in a prison, it was just so I could save enough money to open a bookshop, and I finally have enough.”
“Oh, that’s amazing!” Ava said enthusiastically. “You know what else would be cool? If you combined it with a small café.”
"That’s a really good idea, Ava. Maybe, if you want… we could do this together. And if you don’t find a place, you could stay with me,” Beatrice said, and Ava could see how nervous she was.
“I would love to,” she said, smiling at her.
Beatrice left shortly after.
If Beatrice was serious about her offer, Ava would be so thankful for it. But first, she had to wait and see how everything played out.
***
She hadn’t heard anything new since her talk with Beatrice. It had only been a few days, but knowing that the plan was running smoothly and that she had a chance to be free again made her hopeful.
“Silva, on the wall, hands in front of you. You have a visitor.” She heard Beatrice’s voice.
It was unusual for her to call her by her last name, but when she looked up, she saw another officer with Beatrice.
Ava quickly stood next to the wall and held her hands out in front of her.
Beatrice stepped up, and when she was sure the other guard couldn’t see, she smiled. She gently laid the cuffs on her and guided her outside the wing.
“Do you know who is visiting?” Ava asked.
“Yes, it’s Dr. Salvius and a lawyer,” Beatrice whispered.
Ava suddenly grew nervous. She hadn’t seen Jilian since Michael’s death.
“Don’t worry, okay? Everything will be alright,” Beatrice assured her.
When they reached the visitor’s room, Beatrice said, “You know the rules,” opened the door, and guided Ava to the table.
When Ava locked eyes with Jilian, she felt a tear run down her cheek.
“Ava, I’m so sorry,” Jilian said, also with tears in her eyes.
“No, you don’t have to apologize. If anyone has to apologize, it’s me. If only I had broken up with him before all of this…” Ava began to sob.
They took some time to compose themselves.
“Ava, this is Vincent Moreno, your new lawyer.”
They greeted each other.
“Ms. Silva, we already have a court date for the new trial.”
“I’m sorry, what? So fast?” Ava couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
“Yes, and I need you to tell me again what happened that night. Any information you can give me is crucial.”
Ava recounted the events of that night and added any information about JC that she had.
After what felt like hours, they were finished.
“Thank you, Ms. Silva. I’ll see you again in court.”
Beatrice, who had been in the room the whole time, came up to Ava to escort her out. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I can’t believe we have another trial in just two weeks.”
“Yes, it did move quite fast.”
***
Beatrice stood in her boss's office, giving him her two weeks' notice. She didn’t want to work in the prison anymore, especially once Ava’s trial began.
She had saved enough money to take a break, and she had already looked at a few locations for her bookshop. Since Ava’s idea of having a small café, she had found the perfect place to combine both. It was near her apartment, so she could walk there. She had actually signed the lease the day before. It was getting real.
***
“Are you nervous?” Lilith asked.
“A little bit. I just hope everything goes well.”
“It will, I'm sure of it. We gathered enough evidence, and Vincent Moreno is one of the best lawyers in the whole country. JC doesn't stand a chance.”
“I hope you're right.”
***
The day before the trial, Beatrice managed to talk to Ava one last time. They were both really nervous, and it was Beatrice's last day working at the prison as well.
“Everything will be alright. I'm always here for you. I hope you know that,” Beatrice said.
“Yes, I know.”
“I will be at the trial, and if you want... I could pick you up after?” Beatrice asked shyly.
“I would love that. And about your offer to stay with you, I would gladly accept it, if it's still okay with you.”
“Yes, of course it is. I wouldn't have offered it otherwise, Ava.”
Beatrice had to leave shortly after to do some paperwork and return all of her equipment.
When she stepped outside after her final shift, she felt free. She would never have to set foot in there again.
***
Beatrice didn’t sleep that night, too nervous. She just hoped that Vincent really was as good as everyone said. What if JC's lawyer was better? What if he had some ace up his sleeve?
She decided at 4 a.m. to get up and go out for a run; maybe that could clear her head. If she was feeling this nervous, how did Ava feel?
***
Ava was nervous, in about an hour, she was escorted out of the prison for her court hearing.
She had already talked with Camila about it. If everything went as planned, she wouldn’t be coming back to the wing, only to the registration room to collect her personal belongings.
Camila would be out in three months, so they would see each other again soon.
The only person she would miss was Superion, who had become a mother figure to her.
“Silva, take care. And I hope I never see you in here again.”
Ava sniffled, “I’ll miss you.”
“And I’ll miss you too. Good luck.”
***
Ava was escorted into the courtroom. When she entered, the first thing she did was search for Beatrice. Ava quickly spotted her, and Beatrice gave her a small smile. She was seated next to Jillian and an unfamiliar woman.
The next person she saw was JC, sitting there with a smug look on his face. It made her stomach turn.
She sat down next to Vincent.
“Don't worry, Ms. Silva, we've got this.”
Ava gave him a smile.
When the judge entered, Ava was so nervous she felt sick.
The trial began. First, Vincent got up and approached the jury.
Ava couldn't hear what he was saying; she was so lost in her mind. She tried to follow the trial, but each time she looked up and saw JC, her thoughts returned to that awful night.
Ava didn't know how much time had passed or what was said, but suddenly she heard Vincent say, “The defense calls Beatrice Chen to the stand.”
Beatrice stepped forward and was sworn in.
“Ms. Chen, can you please tell us what occurred between Ms. Silva and Mr. Carlos in the prison's visitor room?”
Beatrice told them everything she saw in that room.
After Beatrice finished, Vincent stood up and said to the judge, “Your Honor, we have recorded evidence of the conversation, which I would like to submit to the court.”
Ava's mouth fell open. She didn't know the conversation had been recorded, and when she looked at Beatrice, she also appeared surprised. Only the woman next to Beatrice had a triumphant smile on her face.
A video played from a security camera, with clear audio of the conversation between Ava and JC.
When the video finished, Ava could see the color drain from JC’s face as the courtroom fell into silence.
Vincent stood up again and looked around the room. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is the evidence that Mr. Carlos killed Michael Salvius and framed Ms Silva for the crime.”
The judge turned to JC’s defense attorney.
“Do you have anything to defend your client?”
JC’s lawyer stood. “No, Your Honor.”
The judge turned to the jury. “You’ve heard the evidence presented. You are now tasked with delivering a verdict.”
As the jury left the room, Vincent turned to Ava and said, “It's almost over.”
It felt like an eternity until the jury came back.
“Have you reached a verdict?” the judge asked.
“We have, Your Honor. We find the defendant, Ava Silva, not guilty.”
A sob escaped Ava's lips as tears filled her eyes. She was finally free. They did it.
When she looked at Beatrice, she could see there were tears in her eyes too.
When she looked at JC, he was shocked. She could see how pale he had gotten.
***
Beatrice waited anxiously in front of the prison. She knew Ava would step out of the door any minute now.
Would their relationship change now that Ava was no longer an inmate?
She hoped not. They had all been through a lot, and she thought it had even made them stronger.
Her fingers played nervously with the hem of her jacket, when she looked up from her fidgeting hands, she saw Ava stepping through the door.
Ava looked around, and when her eyes met Beatrice's, they lit up, even from that far away.
Should she walk toward her, or just wait by the car until Ava reached her?
But her feet had a mind of their own, and before she realized it, she was already walking in Ava's direction.
When they reached each other, Ava almost tackled Beatrice with a tight hug. It was the first time they had hugged like this, and Beatrice had to admit, it felt really good.
“Thank you so much, Bea, for everything,” Ava mumbled into her neck.
“It’s my pleasure.”
She could feel Ava's tears on her skin.
“I’m just so glad it’s over.”
“Me too, Ava. Me too."
There was a pause, as Ava pulled back slightly, meeting Beatrice’s eyes.
“Can I kiss you?” Ava asked softly.
Beatrice nodded. “Yes.”
They gazed into each other’s eyes, and Beatrice leaned in. Ava's lips were soft against hers. She never knew a kiss could feel like this.
After a few moments, they both leaned back and smiled.
“Ready to go home?” Beatrice asked.
“Yes, let’s go.”