Chapter 9: The Courtroom
The courthouse was an imposing structure of cold marble and echoing hallways. Walking into the courtroom, Sarah felt a chill settle deep in her bones. He was there. Sitting at the defense table, looking smaller but just as cruel. When she took the stand, her mouth went dry. The defense attorney tried to rattle her, questioning her memory, implying she was hysterical. But as Sarah spoke, she didn't look at the lawyer. She looked at the jury. She remembered the cold floor of her bedroom, the terror in Lily’s eyes, the weight of the blue phone. She spoke with a quiet, unshakeable dignity. She wasn't just a victim recounting a crime; she was a mother defending her family's right to exist in peace. Her testimony was a masterclass in resilience, stripping away his lies and laying bare the brutal truth of his actions.
