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Disclaimer:
This story contains themes of emotional trauma, death, and psychological distress. Reader discretion is advised. All characters and events are fictional. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help or reach out to a mental health professional.
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After one week of mental exhaustion and long nights full of worry, Liv finally stood in the grand courtroom. The echo of footsteps, the murmurs of reporters, and the tight grip of Mia's small hand in hers reminded her—this was real. This was the moment everything came down to.
Kavian and Zavian sat on the opposite side, no longer with arrogance or calm. Fear crept into their expressions as the judge entered and the trial began.
Liv had spent the last few months painstakingly gathering evidence. The truth had been buried deeply, but not forever. The nurse's testimony, CCTV recordings from the hospital's restricted wing, the data files copied from Liv's office, and the autopsy report indicating the rare toxic compound—each had been verified and accepted.
When the prosecutor read the charges aloud, Liv could hardly breathe.
"Kavian, found guilty of premeditated murder, medical interference, and criminal conspiracy. Zavian, found guilty of aiding and abetting murder, tampering with evidence, and witness intimidation."
Mia's small hand squeezed Liv's tighter. She could feel the little girl trembling.
The judge continued, sentencing Kavian to life imprisonment without parole and Zavian to 25 years. There were no appeals granted. The gavel slammed down with finality.
Gasps rippled through the courtroom. Reporters scribbled furiously. But Liv… she only looked forward. No relief yet—only silence.
As the guards moved in to take Kavian and Zavian away, Kavian sneered in one last act of defiance. "You think you've won, Liv? You sold your blood for a lie."
Zavian added venomously, "You couldn't have pulled this off alone. Who helped you, huh? Who told you where to look?"
Liv stepped forward. Her voice, calm and unwavering, cut through the room.
"My twin sister did. She never left me. And she never will."
Gasps again. People whispered. No one understood what she truly meant—except the small child beside her.
Mia smiled through teary eyes.
After the courtroom emptied and justice was served, Liv and Mia sat in their apartment in silence. The sun was setting outside their window. A peaceful orange glow bathed the room. Mia leaned against Liv's shoulder.
"I'm happy," Mia said quietly. "This… this was the only thing I ever wanted. To protect you… even if just once."
Liv stroked her hair, blinking back tears. "You did more than that. You saved me."
Mia turned her face upward. "Liv… I need to tell you something."
Liv froze. "What is it?"
"That dream I told you about. It wasn't just a dream."
Liv's heartbeat quickened.
Mia continued, "The voice said I was only given one chance—to return for my final wish. To be with you one last time. It said I have… one month left. After that, I won't be able to stay."
Liv felt like the air had been knocked from her lungs.
"No. No, no, no. Don't say that. There must be something we can do."
Mia smiled sadly. "Even in this body, I can feel it. Something's fading. I'm not sick… but I'm not whole either."
Liv wrapped her arms around her. "I won't let you go. Not again."
They cried together. For what had been, and for what was to come.
The next morning, Mia woke up in a hospital room. She didn't remember how she got there, only the sound of the car, and Liv's voice crying her name.
Liv sat beside her, eyes swollen from crying. She hadn't slept.
"Mia?"
"I'm okay," she whispered.
"No, you're not. You had a fever, you passed out in the car. The doctor said it's… unusual. No physical cause. Just extreme fatigue."
Mia reached out weakly and touched Liv's hand.
"I told you, didn't I?"
Liv held her breath.
"About the time… running out."
Tears streamed down Liv's cheeks again.
"You're my sister," she whispered. "I'll protect you this time. I swear."
In the days that followed, public attention shifted. News channels celebrated the court ruling. Liv's company recovered its dignity and shareholders praised her resilience. Offers poured in—but she didn't care. Nothing compared to the time she had left with Mia.
Each day was treated like a lifetime. They painted together, cooked together, sat under blankets watching childhood movies they once loved as Nia and Liv.
Mia began drawing. Her pictures were always of two girls, side by side. Sometimes holding hands. Sometimes crying. Sometimes smiling.
One night, Liv found a sketch under Mia's pillow. It was a picture of a girl fading into sparkles beside her twin.
Liv folded the paper and kept it in her drawer—her most precious memory.
Two days later, Liv was called to court again. This time not for justice… but to finalize the civil suit. Both Kavian and Zavian's remaining shares in her company were revoked, and the final transfer of power made her sole CEO once again.
But more than power, she had peace.
That night, they sat in their garden.
Mia rested her head on Liv's lap.
"I don't want to leave," she whispered.
"You won't," Liv said.
"I don't want you to be alone again."
Liv kissed her forehead. "You're not leaving. You're staying here, in everything I do, everything I build, every smile I have. You'll be there."
Mia cried.
Liv cried.
The stars blinked quietly above them, as if offering comfort in their stillness.
Justice had been served.
But the final battle… was against time.