CHAPTER 4 — THE TRIAL
Six months later.
The courthouse overflowed before sunrise.
Reporters crowded every hallway.
Evan Mercer entered wearing a tailored gray suit.
For the first time in years, he wasn't smiling.
Claire walked in moments later beside her father.
The courtroom became completely silent.
She looked healthier now.
Her arm had healed.
The bruises had disappeared.
Only her eyes still remembered.
The prosecutor presented photographs.
Medical reports.
Security footage.
Phone records.
Financial documents.
The hidden journals.
Then came the witness no one expected.
Helen Mercer.
She stepped into the witness box with trembling hands.
"I raised my son," she said.
"I taught him kindness."
Her voice broke.
"Somewhere...I failed."
She turned toward Claire.
"I'm sorry."
Claire simply nodded.
Hours later Evan finally testified.
"It wasn't abuse."
He shook his head.
"We loved each other."
The prosecutor placed one journal in front of him.
"Did you write this?"
Silence.
"Mr. Mercer?"
"...Yes."
She read aloud.
"Fear keeps her obedient."
The courtroom froze.
The verdict required less than three hours.
Guilty.
May you like
On every count.
Evan never looked at Claire as deputies led him away.
