Chapter 8
The criminal trial came three months later.
I testified.
I told the court about the foot-washing. About the water. About the bank alerts. About six years of being quiet.
I didn't yell. I didn't cry.
I just told the truth.
The jury listened.
Margaret testified in her own defense. She called me a gold-digger. She called me ungrateful. She said I had manipulated her son.
The jury didn't believe her.
Todd testified. He blamed Daniel. He blamed Margaret. He said he was just "following orders."
The jury didn't believe him either.
Daniel testified. He cried. He apologized. He said he had been pressured. He said he loved me.
I looked at him.
And I felt nothing.
The jury deliberated for six hours.
Guilty on all counts.
Forgery. Identity theft. Conspiracy to commit fraud.
Margaret: seven years.
Todd: five years.
Daniel: four years.
Vanessa: probation, 500 hours community service, full restitution.
As they led Daniel away, he looked at me.
"I'm sorry," he mouthed.
I didn't respond.
Because sorry didn't give me back six years.
Sorry didn't undo the forged signatures.
Sorry didn't wash away the words "kneel down."
I walked out of the courtroom.
Emma was waiting for me.
She hugged me.
"It's over."
I hugged her back.
"It's over."
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We went out for dinner. I had steak and wine.
And I didn't think about Daniel once.
