Chapter 17 - The Trial That Made Them All Listen
Damian Vale went to trial.
So did several Bellweather associates.
Franklin testified under an agreement that did not erase his own crimes.
Elena testified too.
Damian’s attorneys tried to portray her as emotional.
Confused.
Manipulated by Luca.
The same story again.
This time Elena was ready.
“Were you frightened on your wedding day?” an attorney asked.
“Yes.”
“Were you emotional?”
“Yes.”
“Then how can this jury trust decisions you made while emotional?”
Elena looked toward Damian.
“Fear does not make a woman incompetent.”
The courtroom became silent.
“Sometimes fear is information.”
The attorney tried again.
“You ran into a stranger’s vehicle.”
“I escaped men guarding locked doors.”
“You trusted Luca Moretti.”
“I trusted my right to choose where I went.”
Damian stopped smiling.
That distinction became the heart of Elena’s testimony.
Nobody had rescued a helpless bride.
Elena had rescued herself.
Luca had simply opened a car door.
The jury eventually returned its verdicts on the charged offenses.
Damian’s controlled expression finally cracked.
Elena felt no triumph.
Only relief.
Her mother could not return.
Matteo could not return.
Justice did not reverse death.
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It simply stopped the lie from becoming permanent.
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