Chapter 17 - THE COURTROOM The trial lasted six months.
The media called it the Blackwood Conspiracy.
Reporters waited outside the courthouse every morning.
Cameras followed Lily everywhere.
She avoided them.
She didn't want fame.
She wanted Ethan to grow up without remembering flashing lights and screaming reporters.
Inside the courtroom, Lily told the truth.
She described the bruises.
The medicine.
The threats.
The night Victor came home early.
Rosa testified.
Marco testified.
Warren testified.
Celia testified.
Then Victor took the stand.
The defense tried to portray him as a dangerous criminal who had built his empire through fear.
Victor didn't deny his past.
“I built power through fear,” he said.
The courtroom became silent.
“And because I built my world that way, I made it easy for people around me to believe fear was normal.”
He looked toward Ethan.
“My son paid for that mistake.”
Then he looked at Lily.
“So did the woman who protected him.”
Victor took a breath.
“I cannot change what I was.”
His voice softened.
“But I can decide what I become next.”
The jury deliberated for two days.
The verdicts came.
Guilty.
August.
Damien.
Warren.
Celia.
Serena.
The conspiracy collapsed.
Outside the courthouse, Lily held Ethan.
Victor approached.
“It's over.”
Lily looked at him.
“No.”
She smiled faintly.
“Now we build what comes after.”
May you like
Victor handed her a key.
“Then let's build something worth protecting.”
