CHAPTER 19 — The Trial of the Bennett Family
The trial lasted seven weeks.
Richard blamed Linda.
Linda blamed Richard.
Laura blamed both of them.
Dean Grant testified through a speech device.
Professor Hughes admitted her silence and accepted professional sanctions.
Ethan testified against our parents.
When he took the stand, Richard stared at him with pure hatred.
“You were my son,” he said during a courtroom outburst.
Ethan looked back at him.
“That was the problem.”
Sarah testified last.
She described waking from a coma and learning her baby was supposedly dead.
She described the empty urn.
The years of grief.
The anonymous graduation invitation that finally led her to me.
The jury deliberated for less than two days.
Richard was convicted of attempted murder, kidnapping conspiracy, aggravated fraud, evidence destruction, bribery, and numerous financial crimes.
He received decades in prison.
Linda was convicted of conspiracy, fraud, unlawful imprisonment, assault, and obstruction.
Laura received a similar sentence.
Dean Grant accepted a plea agreement in exchange for cooperation.
The university president publicly apologized to me during a special ceremony.
They offered to recreate graduation.
A clean stage.
A new audience.
A chance to walk again.
I almost refused.
Then Sarah said, “Don’t let the worst moment own the whole day.”
So I wore the blue gown again.
Professor Hughes called my name.
“Emily Grace Holloway.”
I paused.
Then I crossed the stage.
Sarah stood in the front row.
Ethan stood beside her with his arm still in a sling.
When I accepted my diploma, the audience rose.
The applause was thunderous.
But just before I left the stage, a court official approached Daniel.
He whispered something.
Daniel looked toward me.
Richard Bennett had requested one final meeting.
May you like
He claimed there was one truth nobody had discovered.
The identity of my biological father.
