The next little bit went by in a blur. Amara didn't remember the drive home, but she did remember falling into Ethan's arms as soon as she stepped through the door. She didn't remember the questions that Gabby and Ethan had asked her, but she did remember the looks of relief on their faces when she walked inside the house. 

The next few days were just as fuzzy. Amara was called in for questioning, but the police barely needed her. With the video evidence of Connie's confession, Connie admitted everything to the police. She pleaded guilty, and was charged with first degree murder.

"She'll probably have her sentence reduced, being a detective and all," Gabby muttered after the judge had announced the verdict.

Amara was inclined to agree, but she knew only time would tell for sure. Connie was charged with murder, and was sentenced to twenty-five years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after ten years. Amara knew she'd probably get her parole, maybe even earlier than they said, but still. She felt for her.

They all stood as Connie was led out of the room. As they pulled her away, the now ex-detective looked back at Amara. She set her chin and her brown eyes were hard. Amara sucked in a breath. Connie was clearly very sorry, but she wasn't sorry that she had killed Joshua. She was sorry she got caught.

Detective Milne sat at the front of the courtroom, holding his head in his hands. He was obviously upset at everything that had happened, and Amara couldn't blame him. If she had found out that Gabby or Ethan were guilty of something as big as murder, she'd probably be feeling the same way.

"Man," Amara said once they exited the courtroom. "I was single and pregnant and it was terrifying. I couldn't imagine being single, pregnant, and in jail."

"She did it to herself," Gabby said quietly. "If she hadn't killed him, she wouldn't be in this position."

"If she hadn't slept with him, she wouldn't be pregnant either," Ethan added. "She'd be free and....not pregnant."

"While I agree," Amara said, "we have to keep in mind that Joshua wasn't exactly an innocent victim either."

"I feel like that's the understatement of the century," Ethan said.

"Yeah, but he cheated on his wife and got another girl pregnant,"  Amara pointed out. "So, I have a hard time feeling bad for him, really. "

Ethan was watching her. "You've changed your tune."

"I'm just trying to process," Amara admitted. "I know I was reeling and feeling bad for him a few weeks ago, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that he was never the innocent party."

"Did we ever believe he was the innocent party?" Gabby asked. She had a point.

"Whether he was innocent or not, Detective Ramirez knew better."

They all turned to see Detective Milne making his way over to them. Amara swallowed hard. Milne was taking this whole thing pretty hard, but she found it difficult to blame him.

"I'm sorry I got your partner arrested," Amara said.

"Don't be sorry," Milne said. "Criminals need to be put behind bars. Even if they're people who you never expected to commit the crime." He gave Amara a sympathetic glance. "I feel like I should apologize to you."

Amara arched a brow. "What for?"

"Detective Ramirez originally suggested that it was you who killed Joshua Leonard," Milne stated. "After we spoke to you and she heard your story, I sense she found a kindred spirit in you and switched targets to Mrs. Leonard."

"They wouldn't have found any evidence for Amara killing Joshua anyway, so she wouldn't have been arrested," Ethan spoke up. "Right?"

"Detective Ramirez is smart," Milne said. "Probably too smart for her own good. Most of the evidence we found to incriminate Mrs. Leonard was brought to light by Detective Ramirez, up to and including the texts to the 'hit man', which she admitted to hacking and planting onto Mrs. Leonard's phone. If she hadn't decided to go after the wife, she may have tried to influence the investigation against you."

The thought sent shivers through Amara. She had just barely come to terms with the fact that she had gotten a little bit too close to a murderer, but now she was finding out that Connie could have very easily turned everything against her. It was only the fact that the two of them had so much in common, that she had switched targets.

"Anyway, I just wanted to apologize, and let you know that you did a great job in getting the evidence we needed," Detective Milne said sincerely. "Not to mention, your instinct in knowing it was her in the first place. If you ever decide to join the police force, I'm in need of a new partner."

With that, he turned and left. As upset as she was that someone she knew had killed someone else she knew, Amara was happy to know that she had at least helped catch them. It was a bittersweet day.

"Hey. Amara." 

Amara turned to see Justin, her lawyer, making his way over to her.

"Hey," Amara said. "Long time, no see."

"Yeah," Justin laughed. "Just wanted to congratulate you on proving not only your own innocence, but your rival's too." He winced. "Even though that means Carolyn Carmichael gets another win under her belt."

"Thanks. And don't worry," Amara said. "The scandal was enough to make her sweat for a while, I'm sure."

"Well, enjoy your freedom from...everything," Justin grinned. "No more custody battles, no more murder accusations. Try to stay out of drama for a while."

"I'll do my best," Amara smiled.

Justin nodded a greeting to Ethan and Gabby before turning to leave. Amara sighed and released the tension from her shoulders. She couldn't believe it was finally over. All her drama with Joshua, done for. The police wouldn't be at her door to take away her or her children. She wouldn't have to worry about Nicole anymore either. The rich widow had left almost as soon as she was allowed, but even if she came back, she and Amara were on much better terms now.

"Are you okay?"

Amara turned back to Ethan and Gabby.

"I think," she said, "I'm ready to go home. I need to relax and spend some time with my kids." Amara place her hand on Ethan's shoulder. "And my man."

Ethan's mouth stretched into a smile, and he wrapped his arm around her.

"Good thing I have a date tonight," Gabby commented. "You two can have a night as a big happy family."

"Yeah," Amara smiled up at Ethan. "As a family."

The three of them finally decided to leave to court once and for all. Amara sighed as she realized that she probably wouldn't have to come back here for a very long time, if at all. As the sunlight hit her face and the fresh air filled her lungs while they crossed the parking lot, Amara felt all the weight and worry drift away.

What was next for her? With all the drama and chaos that had gone on in the last year, it had been a long time since she had pondered her next steps. Now she had her two children, a boyfriend, a best friend who had stuck by her through everything, and a bright future.

What more could she want in life?