Chapter 12 - THE TRIAL
Sophia’s trial began fourteen months after the kitchen assault.
She faced charges for Laura’s murder, child abuse, attempted murder of Ethan, conspiracy, forgery, fraud, and aircraft sabotage.
The prosecution began with the kitchen video.
Jurors watched Sophia slap Ava.
They heard her say the twins belonged at her feet.
They saw Ethan strike Sophia afterward.
The defense focused on that moment.
They described Ethan as violent and controlling.
Ethan testified.
“I struck her.”
“Do you regret it?” the defense attorney asked.
“Yes.”
“Because the video became public?”
“No.”
“Because my daughters needed to see an adult stop violence without becoming violent.”
The attorney walked closer.
“You claim Sophia abused them.”
“The evidence shows it.”
“You were rarely home.”
“That is true.”
“So you cannot personally confirm most incidents.”
“No.”
“I can confirm that my absence created room for them.”
The admission removed the defense’s easiest weapon.
Ethan did not pretend innocence.
He distinguished failure from conspiracy.
Ava and Chloe did not testify in open court.
Their recorded interviews were shown privately to the jury.
Mrs. Bell testified about the uniforms.
Dr. Ortiz explained the trauma.
Grant described Laura’s sabotage.
Cole Ramsey described the aircraft plan.
Then Sophia took the stand.
She denied everything.
She said the twins hated her because she replaced their mother.
She said Ethan’s grief made him unstable.
She called Grant jealous.
The prosecutor showed Laura’s letter.
Sophia claimed it was forged.
A handwriting expert confirmed it.
The prosecutor displayed the forged prenuptial agreement.
Sophia blamed her attorney.
The attorney had already pleaded guilty.
Finally, the prosecutor asked one question.
“Why did Ava and Chloe need maid uniforms four days before your wedding?”
Sophia looked toward the jury.
“They needed humility.”
“Why?”
“They were spoiled.”
“Because they inherited a company?”
“Because everyone treated them like princesses.”
The prosecutor paused.
“Did their existence make you feel less important?”
Sophia’s expression changed.
Only slightly.
Yet the jury saw it.
“They had everything,” she said.
“They had a mother who built an empire.”
“A father who worshiped their memory.”
“A house that would never belong to me.”
The prosecutor nodded.
May you like
“So you did want to break them.”
Sophia realized too late what she had admitted.
