Chapter 18 - THE RELEASE HEARING
Rodrigo’s first major post-sentencing hearing happened years later. Not release from entire sentence yet, but a restitution modification after asset forfeiture.
I was notified because I was a victim. Did I want to attend?
No. Then I changed mind.
Not to confront him. To see whether his name still controlled my nervous system.
He appeared older. Gray at the temples.
No expensive suit. The court reviewed forfeited assets, restitution balances, and family support obligations.
Boring. Then his lawyer said Rodrigo had completed financial-ethics programming and was teaching bookkeeping classes.
Of course. People laughed online when that became public.
I did not. Maybe the person who abused systems can later explain them well.
That does not erase abuse. Then Rodrigo was allowed a statement.
He said: “I spent years believing every relationship was an asset if I understood the other person well enough.” My chest tightened.
Then: “Ethan trusted me because I had earned it for eighteen years. I treated that accumulated trust like available credit.”
There. That was exactly what he did.
Then: “I cannot repay that.” Correct.
He did not look at me until the end. Then did.
No apology directed. Good.
I left before the hearing ended. Outside, a reporter asked: “Do you forgive him?”
I said: “I’m not here to grade his soul.” That quote spread.
I hated it. Still true.
Then I visited Dad’s grave again. Told him Rodrigo finally understood credit metaphors too well.
I laughed alone. Then I thought about Mariana.
Would she someday speak the same way? Maybe.
Not my job. Then Claire and I got engaged.
No surprise public proposal. We discussed marriage first.
Then I proposed privately at home after dinner. She said yes.
Then: “Do I get senior debt?” I laughed.
“No.” “Then what’s the point?”
Perfect. We drafted a prenup with separate counsel.
Full financial disclosures. No trustee rights by marriage.
Emergency incapacity procedures required independent physician and fiduciary review. No one could ever reproduce the exact mechanism Mariana and Rodrigo attempted.
That clause felt less romantic than necessary. Then Claire said: “I don’t mind. Good systems let us be less scared.”
Exactly. We married in a small ceremony.
Thomas Reed attended. Maya attended.
A few Miller Systems employees. No Meridian executives.
No Gregory. No Mariana.
No Rodrigo. At the reception, someone brought pink roses as a joke.
May you like
I stared. Then laughed.
Claire said: “Too soon?” “Apparently not.” I kept one.
