“No, darling,” Penelope said softly. “I was just trying to leave peacefully without fighting him.”
“Why didn’t you fight him?” Daisy asked innocently.
Penelope looked through the tall courthouse windows at the gray sky hanging over the city of Columbus. “Because I was so tired, and I honestly thought that peace was worth more than material things.”
Samantha’s voice was remarkably gentle as she chimed in. “Peace is important, Penelope, but letting him keep everything would have only helped him hide the terrible things he was attempting to do to you.”
Penelope nodded slowly, knowing her attorney was completely right.
PART 4: THE COLLAPSE
Suddenly, the heavy courtroom doors swung open with a loud thud.
Bianca emerged first, escorted closely by a uniform bailiff, with her bright confidence completely drained from her face. She still attempted to maintain an air of elegance in her stride, but pure fear had made her physical movements stiff and mechanical. Her personal defense attorney trailed right at her elbow as they moved rapidly toward the elevators while engaged in an urgent, hushed argument.
