Chapter 7 With rock - solid evidence against Ryan , there was no way to deny what he'd done , so the case moved to trial pretty quickly . [ ] Of course , Nina got dragged down with him . [ ] When Ryan and I signed those divorce papers , it finally put a period on that whole chapter of my life . ] I wasn't sad or excited - just felt this massive relief , like I'd finally crawled out of a deep hole . [ ] Ryan had sent so many people to prison over the years . Bet he never thought he'd end up in the defendant's chair himself . [ ] The evidence I'd handed over was bulletproof - actual recordings and video of him and Nina conspiring together , faking reports , deliberately sabotaging the rescue , and assaulting an officer during an active operation . [ ] When you've got evidence that iron - clad , even the best lawyers in the world can only sit there and blink . Plus , once the truth about how I'd been framed came out , public opinion did a complete 180 . People online aren't idiots - they can figure things out . Once they realized all that hate thrown my way was orchestrated by these two , they turned their fury on Ryan and Nina instead , and it was brutal . ] Some people even threatened to boycott any law firm that dared represent them . ] No lawyer wanted that kind of heat - not worth destroying their career over . By the end , Ryan and Nina couldn't find anyone willing to take their case . [ ] Ryan didn't even bother trying to defend himself anymore . Just sat there staring at me like a statue . But Nina kept shaking him , like he was her last lifeline . [ ] " Ryan , say something ! " ] He didn't move , just gave her this cold look before turning back to stare at me . ] ] Nina suddenly seemed to understand something . Her face went chalk white , and she started muttering : [ ] " If I'd known that kid was the mayor's son , I would've moved heaven and earth to save him . Think of the career opportunities ... " I couldn't help but laugh when I heard that . [ ] Always thinking about climbing the ladder , never about duty or responsibility . People like that never make it far . Then she suddenly whipped around to glare at Ryan , completely losing it right there in the courtroom : [ ] Your Honor ! He made me do it ! Everything was Ryan's idea ! " [ ] " I never even liked him ! He chased after me , promised me wealth and status , then threatened my parents to force me to go after Claire ! He orchestrated everything ! " " He was holding my family hostage - I had no choice ! Here's proof ! " [ ] She shoved some documents at the judge . When he opened them , there was a photo of Ryan standing over Nina's parents with a gun , looking smug as hell while they cowered in terror . ] I was over caring about any of this . I felt like a spectator watching their world fall apart . [ ] Ryan stared at Nine in complete shock . This woman he'd thrown me away for was stabbing him in the back without a second thought . He lunged forward , grabbing her by the collar , his voice shaking : [ ] " Why would you do this ? " " Everything I did was for YOU ! To get you promoted , to make you look good - you think I'd risk everything for nothing ? " " Now you're throwing me under the bus ? When you were begging for my help , where was all this righteous bullshit ? " [ ] I knew Ryan too well . He'd probably have taken the fall for everything , thinking it was some kind of delayed apology to me , maybe giving Nina a way out . [ ] But after this betrayal ? No way he'd let her off the hook [ ] Nina's face went bright red - whether from anger or shame , who knows - and she fired right back ] " Oh , now you're playing the devoted lover ? Who do you actually love? You just wanted something fresh and exciting , don't think I don't know ! You think you Chapter 7 cared about Claire more than me after everything she sacrificed for you ? " " You don't love anyone but yourself . All your noble speeches are just cover for your selfish desires . Ryan , you're a narcissist to your core , and every excuse you make now is just pathetic whining ! " ] Ryan completely lost it , trying to go for her throat before the bailiffs pulled him back . [ ] What , can't handle the truth ? " Nina shrieked . " That's exactly who you are ! When someone loves you for real , you throw them away . When something shiny and new comes along , you jump on it . Then when it all goes to hell , you start missing what you had . " [ ] You've only ever loved yourself , Ryan ! " ] ] Those words hit him like a blade . The moment the bailiffs got him back in his seat , he grabbed an officer's gun and put a bullet right through Nina's head . [ ] The courtroom exploded into chaos . Dozens of guns trained on him , but he turned the barrel to his own temple . [ ] Blood was splattered all over his face , but he managed to smile at me . Claire , I'm sorry . Next life ... I'll make it right . " [ ] BANG- e . ] The gunshot echoed through the courtroom , gunpowder and blood thick in the air . Both defendants dead , case closed with my vindication . [ ] I walked out of that courthouse into blinding sunlight , squinting against the glare . [ ] I didn't give a damn about his apology . What mattered was that I'd saved that kid's life , and the people who broke the rules finally paid the price . [ ] Now it was time to start my new life .