Chapter 12
Clara testified on day six.
She spoke about growing up under Evelyn.
The insults.
The control.
The way Evelyn called her dramatic when she cried.
The way Daniel was made golden because Evelyn needed him loyal.
Then Clara spoke about discovering Rosa.
“My mother did not abandon me,” she said. “She was lied to. I was lied to. Robert was lied to. Daniel was lied to. Emily was framed because she saw the lie.”
Evelyn’s lawyer stood.
“Mrs. Hayes, isn’t it true you resented my client long before this case?”
Clara looked at him.
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“And that resentment affects your memory?”
“No,” Clara said. “It explains why I survived it.”
The jury listened.
Rosa testified next.
Her voice shook when she described Evelyn telling her the baby had died.
“She said poor women should not dream above their place.”
Evelyn rolled her eyes.
A juror saw it.
Good.
Daniel testified last.
The prosecutor asked, “Did you watch your mother assault your wife?”
“Yes.”
“Did you help frame Emily financially?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Daniel swallowed.
“Because I was weak and wanted my mother’s approval more than I wanted to be decent.”
I closed my eyes.
Truth is not forgiveness.
But sometimes it is the first clean thing in a dirty room.
The defense tried to blame me for recording.
Daniel interrupted.
“No,” he said. “She was right to record us.”
May you like
Evelyn whispered, “Idiot.”
The microphone caught it.
