Chapter 15
Edmund was sentenced to life.
Victoria received forty years.
Dr. Price received thirty-five.
Others received sentences, lost licenses, lost fortunes, lost the protection that wealth had wrapped around them.
At Edmund’s sentencing, I spoke.
“My father taught me that family was legacy,” I said.
My voice echoed through the courtroom.
“But legacy without love is only inheritance with better manners.”
Edmund stared at me.
I continued.
“He hid children because they threatened money. He hid women because they threatened truth. He hid my son because Oliver threatened control.”
Oliver was not in the room.
But his stuffed bear was in my pocket.
“For three years, my child counted days on a wall. Today this court counts consequences.”
The judge imposed life without parole.
Edmund did not flinch.
Outside, reporters shouted.
I ignored them.
Hannah did not.
She stepped to the microphones.
“My mother was alive,” she said. “People called me dramatic for asking questions. Stop calling women dramatic when they are standing near locked doors.”
That clip went everywhere.
Elise stood beside her daughter, trembling but proud.
That night, we returned to the apartment.
Oliver had made a sign for the door.
OPEN.
He taped it at eye level.
“Just so everyone remembers,” he said.
I smiled through tears.
“We will.”
For the first time, he slept in his own room.
Door open.
Hall light on.
Me in a chair outside.
At 3:00 a.m., he woke and called, “Father?”
May you like
“I’m here.”
He went back to sleep.
