Meanwhile, Stella remained seated, upright, ready to embrace a new chapter of her life with her head held high. The trial of conscience had been won by honesty. The hearing room door slowly closed behind music Stella, leaving all the bitterness of the past inside. The sound of Gab’s hurried footsteps faded down the corridor as he fled from his own shadow. The man who had arrived this morning with his head held high, full of arrogance, now disappeared around the corner. His shoulders slumped, not daring to glance back at Stella even once. Leo, his lawyer, followed at a distance, as if he no longer wanted music to be associated with the loser who had just been humiliated by his own mentor.
Stella let out a long sigh. The air outside the hearing room felt much fresher, as if the oxygen supply that had been blocked in her chest was now flowing freely again. She was no longer the unvalued wife of a successful lawyer. She was now a free woman who had successfully defended her rights, her dignity, and her home, all earned through her own sweat.
Are you at peace now, my dear? The deep, gentle voice greeted her from the side. Stella turned. Mr. Kesler was smiling warmly at her. The intimidating aura he had projected in front of Gabe and the judges was gone, replaced once again by the figure of the kind, fatherly old man.
“Very much at peace, sir. I feel like a huge boulder has been lifted off my back,” Stella answered honestly, her eyes welling with tears. “I don’t know how to thank you enough. If you hadn’t been here, I might have walked out with nothing but the clothes on my back.”
They walked slowly together toward the exit of the building. Mister Kesler’s pace was still slow, aided by his cane, and Stella faithfully matched her steps to his, staying by his side, just as she had when they first met on the bus. “You don’t have to thank me, Stella,” Mr. Kesler said, looking out at the sunny courthouse courtyard. “Your victory today isn’t because of me, but because of the sincerity of your own heart.
God is the great director of everything. He arranged the script for you to take the same bus as me, for you to help me, and for me to be there to return the favor. That is God’s way of embracing you when you are in trouble.”
As they reached the entrance lobby, a sleek black sedan, far more luxurious than Gabes, was already waiting. A chauffeur in an impeccable uniform quickly got out and opened the rear door. Apparently, Mr. Kesler’s driver had come to pick him up.
Mister Kesler paused for a moment before getting into the car. He reached into the pocket of his plaid shirt and pulled out a simple ivorycoled business card with embossed gold lettering. It had only a name and a personal phone number without a long list of titles. Keep this, Mr. Kesler said, placing the card in Stella’s hands.
Your house is secure now, but life must go on. If you ever need a job or legal assistance in the future, don’t hesitate to call this number. The doors of my firm are always open to honest people like you.
Stella accepted the card with trembling hands. She bowed respectfully and kissed the back of Mr. Kesler’s hand like a daughter to her father. Thank you, sir. May you always be blessed with health and long life.
“One more thing,” Mr. Kesler said, giving Stella’s shoulder a gentle pat. His gaze was deep and serious. “Never regret this separation. Don’t cry over losing that man. You didn’t lose anything, Stella. He is the one who lost everything by chasing after stones and throwing away a jewel. You have just reclaimed your dignity. Go home with your head held high. Redecorate your house, cook your favorite meal, and start a new happy life.”
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