Chapter 15 - THE CONFESSION
Richard was arrested.
But he refused to confess.
For hours, he said nothing.
Then investigators played the recordings.
Victoria's testimony.
Thomas's statement.
Margaret's account.
Daniel's testimony.
Still, Richard remained silent.
Until Emma entered the interrogation room.
He looked at her.
"You have your father's eyes."
Emma sat across from him.
"And you have his blood on your hands."
Richard smiled.
"You think you've won."
"I know I have."
"You don't understand power."
"I understand consequences."
He leaned forward.
"Your father could have been rich."
"He chose honesty."
"He chose stupidity."
Emma's expression hardened.
"You killed him because he wouldn't become like you."
Richard's smile faded.
"He was going to expose me."
"So you killed him."
"I didn't touch him."
Emma froze.
"What?"
Richard continued.
"Thomas did."
Silence.
"Thomas arranged everything."
Richard leaned back.
"I only gave the order."
Emma's stomach turned.
"You admit it?"
"I admit nothing."
"But you just said..."
"You wanted the truth."
Emma stood.
Richard looked amused.
"You should be careful."
"Why?"
"Because there are people who still owe me favors."
Emma walked toward the door.
"Not anymore."
Richard's expression changed.
She stopped.
"You spent twenty years believing everyone belonged to you."
She turned around.
"They don't."
Then she left.
Outside, Sarah waited.
"Did he confess?"
Emma nodded.
"Enough."
The investigators had what they needed.
Richard was charged with multiple crimes.
Thomas accepted a plea agreement.
Victoria agreed to testify.
Daniel received reduced charges because of his cooperation.
But Emma wasn't ready to celebrate.
She still had one question.
"What happens to Daniel?"
Sarah looked at her.
"That depends on the judge."
Emma nodded.
"I hope he gets a chance."
"Why?"
"Because he spent years trying to become different from his father."
Sarah smiled faintly.
"Just remember."
"What?"
"Being sorry doesn't erase what happened."
Emma looked toward the courthouse.
"I know."
May you like
She had learned that love wasn't blind forgiveness.
Real love demanded truth.
