Chapter 16 - THE TESTIMONY Serena sat behind reinforced glass.
Without makeup, jewelry or expensive clothes, she looked almost ordinary.
Lily knew better.
Cruelty didn't disappear when luxury did.
Serena stared at her.
“You saved me.”
Lily sat down.
“I saved a person from drowning.”
Serena looked away.
Then she confessed.
She had hurt Ethan to make Victor appear incompetent.
She had manipulated doctors.
Forged trust documents.
Used Warren.
Used Damien.
Used August.
She admitted knowing about Amelia.
And finally, she named the man who ordered the crash.
August.
Lily listened without interruption.
When Serena finished, Lily asked:
“Why Ethan?”
Serena's eyes filled with tears.
“I wanted him to call me Mama.”
Lily stared at her.
“He was supposed to feel safe.”
Serena whispered:
“I know.”
Lily shook her head.
“No. You knew he was useful. That's not the same thing.”
Serena looked down.
Her testimony became the final piece prosecutors needed.
When Lily left the room, Victor was waiting.
He handed her a set of legal papers.
“If something happens to me, you become Ethan's emergency guardian.”
Lily stared at him.
“I'm your employee.”
Victor shook his head.
“Not anymore.”
He paused.
“You're family.”
May you like
Lily couldn't answer.
For the first time since she had entered the Blackwood mansion, she allowed herself to cry.
