Chapter 27 - Elena Came Back for the Trial
Daniel Vale’s trial began.
Elena was the key witness.
So was Catherine.
Rebecca attended.
Adrian flew back.
For the first time since learning they were siblings, he and Rebecca stood in the same room.
He hugged her.
Brief.
They both cried.
Then laughed from awkwardness.
“Still weird,” Adrian said.
“Extremely.”
They sat separately but together.
Elena testified for six hours.
She admitted her role in Thomas Hale’s destruction.
Daniel’s defense attacked her credibility.
“You lied before.”
“Yes.”
“You stole foundation money.”
“Yes.”
“You staged an assault.”
“Yes.”
“Why should anyone believe you?”
Elena looked at the jury.
“You shouldn’t believe me because I’m sorry. Believe the records.”
Marcus watched from the gallery.
That was growth.
No performance.
Evidence.
Daniel was convicted on financial fraud, conspiracy, and assault charges.
Thomas Hale was formally exonerated posthumously.
Adrian cried outside the courthouse.
Rebecca stood with him.
Marcus stepped away to give them privacy.
Elena approached him.
“It’s done.”
“One part.”
“Always one more part with this family.”
Marcus smiled.
She asked about Sarah.
“Washington.”
“You miss her.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Why good?”
“Means you’re not numb.”
Elena had begun dating no one.
Working.
Rebuilding.
She seemed okay.
Not redeemed by romance.
May you like
Redeemed, if that word applied, by repeated choices.
Marcus respected that.
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