Chapter 16 - THE TRIAL
The trial lasted six weeks.
Every day brought another revelation.
Witnesses testified.
Financial records were displayed.
Audio recordings were played.
Margaret told the court what she had seen twenty years earlier.
Her voice trembled.
But she never stopped.
Emma sat behind her.
Holding her hand.
When Daniel testified, the courtroom became silent.
He described his father's criminal empire.
He described the night Emma's father died.
He admitted that he had been afraid.
He admitted that he had lied.
And he admitted that he had hurt Margaret.
"I cannot change what I did," Daniel said.
"But I can tell the truth now."
Emma listened.
That was all she wanted.
The truth.
The jury returned its verdict.
Richard was found guilty.
Thomas was convicted on multiple charges.
Victoria was convicted of financial crimes.
Daniel was found guilty of several offenses but received a significantly reduced sentence because of his cooperation and evidence against his father.
Afterward, Emma visited him.
They sat across from each other through glass.
Daniel smiled sadly.
"You look tired."
"So do you."
"I deserve this."
Emma nodded.
"Yes."
He looked down.
"Do you hate me?"
Emma thought carefully.
"No."
Daniel looked up.
"But I don't trust you."
"I understand."
"I don't know what happens next."
"Neither do I."
He smiled.
"That's probably good."
Emma almost smiled.
Then she stood.
"I'm going to take care of Mom."
"I know."
"And I'm going to rebuild my life."
"You should."
She placed her hand against the glass.
Daniel raised his hand.
Their palms touched through the barrier.
"I loved you," Emma said.
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
"I loved you too."
"But love wasn't enough."
"No."
Emma walked away.
For the first time, leaving him didn't feel like losing everything.
It felt like choosing herself.
Outside the courthouse, Margaret waited.
Emma hugged her.
"We're free."
Margaret closed her eyes.
"Finally."
May you like
But neither of them knew what freedom would look like yet.
They were about to find out.
