Chapter 16 - THE VERDICTS
The jury deliberated for eleven hours.
Mónica was convicted of aggravated child abuse, unlawful medication, conspiracy, evidence fabrication, attempted custodial fraud, kidnapping, and participation in Isabel’s murder.
Ricardo was convicted of murder conspiracy, kidnapping, attempted murder, fraud, coercion, and corporate corruption.
Camila received a reduced sentence because of her cooperation, but she lost her medical license permanently.
Mónica received life imprisonment.
Ricardo received multiple life sentences.
Camila received thirty-two years.
The corrupt directors and attorney received separate prison terms.
At sentencing, Mónica asked to speak.
She looked at Alejandro.
“You left me alone with a damaged child.”
Valentina was not present.
Alejandro answered only through his victim statement.
“My daughter was not damaged when you entered her life.”
“She was grieving.”
“You treated grief as weakness because weakness gave you control.”
Mónica insisted she had loved him.
Alejandro looked toward the judge.
“Love did not appear in the hidden videos.”
The judge agreed.
Ricardo remained silent until deputies led him away.
Then he turned toward Alejandro.
“Isabel would hate what you became.”
Alejandro did not answer.
Ricardo had spent years using Isabel’s memory as a weapon.
Silence denied him one final argument.
Outside the courthouse, reporters asked Valentina whether she was happy.
Alejandro stepped between the microphones and his daughter.
“She is six.”
“She does not owe the public a conclusion.”
That evening, they returned to the mansion for the first time.
Valentina stopped at the foyer entrance.
The broken vase had been removed.
The marble had been cleaned.
Still, she reached for Alejandro’s hand.
“Can we go somewhere else?”
“Yes.”
He did not tell her the house was safe now.
May you like
He did not ask her to be brave.
They turned around together.
