Chapter 17 - THE TRIAL
The trial became national news.
For weeks, the country watched.
Julian's lawyers argued that he had been manipulated.
The prosecution presented evidence.
Claire's testimony lasted three hours.
She told the story without crying.
The fake death.
The stolen assets.
The empty house.
The hotel uniform.
The lobby.
The USB.
She told them everything.
Then the prosecutor asked:
"What do you want the court to know?"
Claire looked at Julian.
"I want the court to know that he did not destroy me."
Julian looked surprised.
Claire continued.
"He hurt me."
"He stole from me."
"He lied to me."
"But he did not destroy me."
She took a breath.
"I survived him."
The courtroom was silent.
Julian lowered his head.
The jury returned its verdict.
Guilty.
On every major charge.
The judge sentenced him to decades in prison.
Outside the courthouse, reporters surrounded Claire.
One asked:
"Do you feel victorious?"
She thought for a moment.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because victory implies there was a game."
She looked toward the courthouse.
"There was no game."
"There were victims."
"There was one man who made choices."
"And there were people brave enough to stop him."
May you like
She walked away.
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