Chapter 14 — What Happened to Anna
Anna’s death had been ruled a medical accident.
The memory card proved otherwise.
Richard had targeted Lucas years earlier, but Anna discovered suspicious transactions involving Bennett Medical.
She planned to contact federal authorities.
Richard bribed a hospital employee to switch her medication.
Vanessa administered the fatal dose.
Adrian knew afterward.
He had used the secret to control Richard.
Lucas watched the video once.
Then he turned it off.
Emily did not see it.
She only knew new evidence had been found.
The police captured Vanessa at a bus terminal using facial recognition.
She confessed after learning Richard planned to blame Anna’s murder entirely on her.
The final trial lasted seven weeks.
Richard Vale was convicted of murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, fraud, and attempted murder.
He received life without parole.
Vanessa received forty years after agreeing to testify.
Dr. Wells received twelve years.
Adrian received eighteen.
Sophia stood trial separately.
Her attorneys argued that Richard had controlled her since childhood.
The prosecution agreed he had manipulated her.
But they also showed the jury the video in which she spoke about Emily having an accident.
Sophia was convicted on every major charge.
Before sentencing, she asked to speak.
She turned toward Lucas.
“I know you hate me.”
Lucas said nothing.
Sophia looked at Emily, who sat beside Maria.
“I was jealous of a child because she had something I never did.”
Emily watched her quietly.
“A father who would choose her every time.”
Sophia began crying.
“I wanted to be chosen.”
Emily’s voice was soft.
“You could have been nice to me.”
Sophia closed her eyes.
The judge sentenced her to thirty years.
As officers led her away, she looked back once.
Lucas did not look at her.
He was watching Emily.
May you like
The child reached for his hand.
And he chose her again.
