CHAPTER 13 — VITTORIO RUSSO TAKES THE STAND

Every reporter in the courtroom leaned forward when my father approached the witness stand.

Vittorio swore to tell the truth.

Margaret’s attorney began with questions about his businesses, his reputation, and allegations that had followed him for decades.

“Have you ever used fear to influence another person?” the attorney asked.

“Yes.”

A murmur moved through the courtroom.

The attorney seemed surprised by the honesty.

“Have you ever threatened anyone?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever ordered violence?”

My father looked toward me.

Then toward Sofia, who watched from a protected video room elsewhere in the building.

“I have made decisions in my life that I regret.”

The attorney smiled.

“So Mrs. Hale was right to fear you.”

“She had every right to fear the consequences of attacking my daughter.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No. It is an observation.”

The prosecutor then asked my father what he did after receiving my call.

“I contacted local police, medical personnel, and my attorneys. I drove to the house.”

“Did you order anyone assaulted?”

“No.”

“Kidnapped?”

“No.”

“Threatened?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

My father took a breath.

“Because my granddaughter was watching.”

The courtroom became silent.

“She had already seen adults use violence to get what they wanted,” he continued. “I refused to teach her that the answer was more violence.”

I felt tears burn my eyes.

Margaret stared at him with open hatred.

My father turned toward her.

“You believed my daughter was weak because she left my world. You were wrong. Walking away required more courage than remaining ever did.”

Margaret’s attorney objected.

The judge instructed my father to answer only the questions asked.

But the words had already reached everyone.

After five weeks of testimony, Margaret was convicted on nearly every major charge.

Martin Keane was also convicted.

Travis pleaded guilty and received a reduced sentence for cooperating.

Daniel pleaded guilty to fraud, conspiracy, and child-endangerment charges. His cooperation prevented the most severe sentence, but he still faced years in prison.

Margaret refused every plea offer.

At sentencing, she did not apologize.

She blamed me.

She blamed Daniel.

She blamed Travis.

She blamed my father.

The judge sentenced her to twenty-two years.

As officers led her away, she twisted toward me.

“This is not over,” she said.

My father’s security team moved closer.

I remained seated.

“Yes,” I replied. “It is.”

But one final decision remained.

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Daniel had requested the right to write to Sofia from prison.

And Sofia was old enough to ask why I had not answered him.