Chapter 11

Raphael pressed charges against Preston for assault, and when the court inquired if I would consider an out-of-court settlement, I immediately refused. Preston's volatile nature made him too dangerous to be allowed to escape justice. He needed to be held accountable for his actions to learn his lessons. I also used this incident as a reason to have my lawyer file for divorce from Preston, and the court granted the separation at the first hearing, on the grounds that he had both threatened my safety and inflicted actual harm. In the end, Preston was sentenced to prison. I returned to Crestia to facilitate Rowan's enrollment in a new school. I also provided a substantial sum of money to Preston's parents and entrusted them with the care of Rowan. Rowan's eyes immediately welled up with tears upon seeing me. "I'm so sorry, Mommy. I shouldn't have trusted Daddy and Melanie. I know I made a mistake now." I let out a sigh and shook my head. It was clear that Rowan hadn't realized his m