He sat back.
A guard shifted near the door.
Daniel stared at the tabletop.
“I loved you,” he said.
The words were almost impossible to hear.
“I loved you too.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Because love did not stop you. Maybe consequences will.”
He turned his face away.
I stood.
At the door, he spoke again.
“Did Dad know?”
I stopped.
“He knew enough.”
“Did he think I was bad?”
“Your father thought you were responsible for what you chose.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
I left him there.
CHAPTER 4 – The Choice
The hearing took place on a gray morning in October.
I sat in the front row beside Arthur. Marissa sat behind us with her attorney. She wore a dark blue coat and held a folded handkerchief in one hand, though she did not cry.
Daniel entered with his public defender.
He looked toward me.
I did not turn away.
The prosecutor presented the evidence in a measured voice. The camera footage showed the assault. The audio captured the threats. The bank records traced the money. The handwriting expert explained the copied signatures. Arthur testified about the trust.
Then Marissa took the stand.
Daniel watched her as she walked past him.
She sat down, raised her right hand, and swore to tell the truth.
His attorney asked whether she had participated in the plan.
“Yes.”
