Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 212: Unfit For Justice

Chapter 212: Unfit For Justice

Ellen was curled up on the sofa, sipping a cup of tea. She was lost in her thoughts when a loud thud snapped her back to reality. Ellen looked over in surprise as Philip dropped a big stack of documents on the table, causing a loud "bam" sound in the room.

"What’s that?" Ellen asked, sitting up straight and glancing between the documents and Philip’s face.

Just then, Mason walked over and sat down beside her, his eyes also focused on the pile of papers as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Philip met his gaze and gave a small, dry smile.

"This," Philip replied, gesturing at the stack, "is everything I could dig up on Hans. Mason asked me to find anything I could, background, jobs, crimes. And it turns out... well, there was a lot."

Ellen nodded slowly and shot a glance at Mason. Of course, he wouldn’t just let Hans slip through his fingers. The words Mason had said about Hans’s fate rang in her ears, clear as day: He deserves to rot in prison for everything he’s done.

"Well, let’s just say he’s done more than enough to earn it." He ran a hand over his chin, a faint, grim smile on his face. "Hans is, uh... let’s say he’s quite active. He’s been involved in pretty much every kind of crime you can think of—robbery, vandalism, scams, abuse, drug deals. It’s all here. And the list goes on. And on."

Mason’s face darkened as he reached over, grabbing one of the documents from the stack. He scanned the first few lines, his eyes narrowing before he tossed it back onto the pile, rubbing a hand over his face as if trying to wipe away the anger simmering beneath the surface.

"What did I do to deserve having a half-brother like that?" Mason muttered bitterly, his voice filled with disgust.

Philip cleared his throat, glancing down at his shoes for a moment before lifting his gaze back to Mason and Ellen. "Actually, there’s... something else," he began carefully. "This just came in this morning. Hans... well, he won’t be going to prison."

Both Ellen and Mason turned their heads toward him. Mason squinted, while Ellen’s hand naturally found its way to his.

"What do you mean, he won’t be going to prison?"

Philip sighed, his shoulders dropped slightly as he prepared to deliver the news. "Apparently, the authorities have decided that he’s... mentally ill. They’re saying he’s unfit for prison and should be sent to a psychiatric hospital instead."

Mason’s hand clenched into a fist, and with a frustrated growl, he slammed it against the table, making Ellen flinch slightly at the sudden force. "They can’t do that," he spat. "He’s a goddamn criminal, not some poor, confused soul. Mentally ill? Please." Mason let out a bitter chuckle. "He’s as sane as anyone else who chooses to hurt people for fun."

Philip raised his hands slightly, a gesture of peace, though his face remained grim. "Look, Mason, I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear. But from what I’ve gathered, Hans has been... well, he’s been screaming a lot in there. Talking to himself. Apparently, he’s been acting so erratic that they’re convinced he’s lost his mind."

Ellen glanced away, her mind wandering as she tried to take it all in. Honestly, it didn’t surprise her. She’d always sensed that something was off about him. Now it seemed as if her instincts had been right.

Mason huffed, clearly not buying any of it. "I don’t care what he’s doing in there. I don’t care if he’s screaming his lungs out or singing lullabies to himself. I want him punished for what he’s done." He turned to Ellen, his eyes blazing with frustration. "Is that so much to ask? He deserves to pay for all the lives he’s ruined."

Ellen reached over, placing a gentle hand on Mason’s shoulder. "I know, Mason," she said softly. "I know how you feel. But maybe..." She hesitated, searching for the right words. "Maybe this way, he won’t be able to hurt anyone else. Maybe he’s finally being forced to face his own mind, and that’s its own kind of punishment."

Mason looked at her, his gaze softening ever so slightly, though the fire still lingered in his eyes. "That’s not enough, Ellen. He should suffer for what he’s done. And now he gets to sit in some cushy hospital room, probably drugged up, instead of a prison cell? It’s not right."

Philip cleared his throat again, his face serious. "From what I understand, Mason, he won’t be getting any special treatment. They think he’s genuinely lost it, and from the reports, it’s pretty bad. He’s not exactly living a life of luxury over there."

Mason shook his head, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "It doesn’t change anything for me, Philip. I want justice. I want him to pay, the way any other criminal would. And now they’re giving him a way out. They’re giving him an excuse."

Ellen touched his arm gently, her fingers warm as they rested on his skin. "Mason," she called gently, "I know this isn’t what we expected. And I know it’s not the justice you wanted. But maybe... maybe this is a first step. Maybe this is just the beginning of him getting what he deserves."

Mason’s eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, she saw the vulnerability there. He sighed out loud, and the tension in his shoulders eased a bit.

"Maybe," he said quietly, though there was still a note of bitterness in his voice. He turned to Philip, his face going serious once more. "Just promise me you’ll keep an eye on this. I want to know everything that happens to him, every single detail."

Philip nodded. "You have my word, Mason. I’ll keep you updated."

Mason leaned back, rubbing his temples like he was trying to shake off a headache. Ellen watched him, feeling a bit sad for the mess he was in. She knew how much he wanted closure, how badly he needed to see Hans pay for his actions.

"I just want him gone. Out of our lives. I don’t want him to haunt us anymore."

Me too, Mason.