Chapter 12
Dad testified last.
The courtroom changed when he took the stand.
He spoke slowly.
His voice still weak.
He described the missing money.
The forged documents.
The tea.
The fog in his mind after drinking it.
The way Claire told him he was confused.
The night he realized his own daughter might be poisoning him.
The prosecutor asked, “Why create the funeral plan?”
Dad looked at me.
“Because Claire had convinced everyone I was declining. If I accused her openly and died, she would control the story. If she believed I was already dead, she would reveal what she wanted.”
“And why could only Olivia request the casket opening?”
His eyes filled.
“Because Olivia loved me stubbornly. Claire always underestimated that.”
I cried silently.
Claire looked down.
May you like
For the first time, shame crossed her face.
Then vanished.
