Chapter 12 - THE TRIAL

Richard Sterling's trial began eleven months after the anniversary party.

The prosecution called forty-three witnesses.

Rebecca Shaw testified for two days.

Amanda testified for four hours.

Lucas testified against his father.

Michael testified last.

Richard stared at him from the defense table.

For thirty-two years, Michael Donovan had imagined this moment.

When it finally arrived, there was no satisfaction in it.

Only exhaustion.

The prosecutor asked, "Mr. Donovan, why didn't you pursue the trust claim earlier?"

Michael looked toward Willow.

"Because my wife was dying."

"And after her death?"

"I had a seven-year-old daughter."

"You could have continued litigation."

"Yes."

"Why didn't you?"

Michael took a breath.

"Because Richard had money."

"I had a garage."

"He had attorneys."

"I had a child who had already lost her mother."

"I made a choice."

"What choice?"

"To be her father."

The courtroom became silent.

The prosecutor held up Catherine's forged release.

"Did your wife sign this?"

"No."

"How certain are you?"

Michael looked directly at Richard.

"Completely."

The defense attorney attacked him for two hours.

Called him jealous.

Bitter.

Obsessed.

Michael never raised his voice.

Then the prosecutor played Richard's recording.

Catherine's signature doesn't need to be real.

She'll be dead before anyone can challenge it.

Richard looked down.

For the first time, the jury saw what Michael had known for thirty years.

The verdict came after four days of deliberation.

Guilty.

Then again.

Guilty.

Again.

Guilty.

Count after count.

Richard Sterling was convicted on sixty-seven charges.

Marion cried silently.

Willow held Michael's hand.

Richard stood as marshals approached.

He looked toward Willow.

Even then, his eyes carried contempt.

"You think you won?"

Willow said nothing.

Richard laughed.

"Everything you have still came from me."

Michael started to rise.

Willow stopped him.

Then she looked at Richard.

"No."

Her voice was calm.

"Everything you had came from people you stole from."

Richard's smile disappeared.

Willow continued.

"My grandfather built something."

"My father protected something."

"My mother saved something."

"You just put your name on it."

Richard was led away.

Michael exhaled.

"Your mother would have liked that."

May you like

The housekeeper was supposed to be invisible. Instead, Sophia Hale becam...

The housekeeper was supposed to be invisible. Instead, Sophia Hale became the only person who could expose a massive conspiracy in...

My Husband Hit Me at Dinner—Then His Sister-in-Law Whispered, “Tell the...

"“You and Adrian can rent somewhere smaller,” he said. “A young married couple does not need two bedrooms.” Several relatives nodd...

A federal judge thought his power could cover up a murder. He didn't exp...

"A federal judge thought his power could cover up a murder. He didn't expect her to survive the 20-foot fall. ⚖️🩸The pristine whi...

Willow smiled.

"She taught me well."