Chapter 12 - BROOKE’S CONFESSION
Brooke accepted a plea agreement before Dominic did.
Her attorney knew the electronic evidence was overwhelming.
She offered testimony about the financial fraud, the false emails, and the planned drowning.
In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to pursue the maximum sentence.
Brooke described how the relationship began.
Dominic complained that I cared more about the company than him.
She told him he deserved appreciation.
He paid her rent.
Then bought gifts.
Then moved her into my house.
Victoria welcomed her because Brooke treated the Sterling name as something sacred.
I treated it as a company that required work.
Brooke flattered.
I questioned.
Victoria chose the easier woman.
Brooke admitted using old recordings of Leo.
She intercepted Maria’s messages.
She altered my travel calendar so I believed returning early would destroy negotiations.
She also admitted lying about Liam’s paternity.
“Did you abuse Leo?” the prosecutor asked.
Brooke looked toward the table.
“I called him names.”
“Did you deny him food?”
“Sometimes.”
“Did you push him?”
“Yes.”
“Did you place him in the basement?”
“I helped.”
“Why?”
“Victoria said he needed to learn.”
“Did you believe that?”
“No.”
The prosecutor paused.
“Then why participate?”
Brooke’s answer was almost too quiet to hear.
“Because when they were cruel to him, they were kind to me.”
The room became silent.
That sentence explained more than every excuse before it.
Brooke traded a child’s safety for a place inside a wealthy family.
She knew the love was conditional.
She paid for it with Leo.
She testified that Dominic planned to increase the sedative on Thursday night.
He would place Leo near the pool.
Victoria would dismiss the staff.
Brooke and Liam would attend a hotel event, creating witnesses to their absence.
Dominic would call emergency services after it was too late.
My early arrival interrupted everything.
When my suitcase hit the floor, Dominic had already placed the medication inside Leo’s evening juice.
The glass remained in the kitchen.
Toxicology matched the contents.
The attempted murder case no longer depended only on recorded conversation.
The poison had already been prepared.
After the hearing, Brooke asked whether I would speak with her.
I declined.
She sent a letter instead.
It contained three pages of apology.
Near the end, she asked me to help Liam financially.
I instructed Evelyn to create an independent education fund administered by the court.
Brooke would never control it.
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Liam would not pay for her crimes.
But my help would not become her doorway back into my life.
