But Victor’s plan to leave me with nothing had collapsed.
And the sealed envelope had opened a door he could no longer close.
As the hearing adjourned, Melissa hurried out without looking back.
Richard Cole gathered his papers and leaned toward Victor.
I heard him whisper, “You told me there were no other documents.”
Victor said nothing.
For the first time, his own attorney appeared to be questioning whether he could trust him.
I followed Grace into the corridor.
My legs were shaking.
She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
“You did well,” she said.
“I thought I would feel victorious.”
“And how do you feel?”
I looked down at the scars on my arm.
“Like I’ve been carrying something heavy for nineteen years, and someone has finally told me I can put it down.”
Grace nodded.
“That is often what the beginning of justice feels like.”
I did not know then how complicated the next several months would become.
