Chapter 17 - The Trial
The accusation hit Elena harder than she expected.
Victoria's attorney claimed Elena was overwhelmed after childbirth and desperate for attention.
He pointed to her crying videos.
Her therapy notes.
Her late-night texts.
The same material Victoria collected for guardianship.
Now it became a defense.
Rachel prepared Elena for testimony.
"Do not try to look perfect."
"I'm not."
"Good. Perfect people sound fake. Tell the truth."
On the stand, Elena admitted she had been exhausted.
Admitted she cried.
Admitted she forgot appointments.
Admitted she slapped Lily.
The courtroom went quiet.
"Was that justified?" the prosecutor asked.
"No."
"Why did you do it?"
"Because I saw broken glass and thought the person with less power was the easiest person to blame."
Lily sat in the gallery.
Elena looked at her.
"I was wrong."
Then Lily testified.
She described Victoria near the formula cabinet.
The money offer.
The pressure.
The pantry.
The bottle.
She did not exaggerate.
That made her stronger.
Marcus's messages and the pantry recording followed.
Samuel testified under his plea agreement and admitted he had handled the dangerous substance, but said Victoria approved creating the crisis.
Victoria called him a liar.
Maybe he was, in parts.
The jury did not need his word alone.
They had her texts.
Her guardianship plan.
Her financial motive.
Her medical-record scheme.
Her message:
If the kid gets sick, we use it.
After six hours of deliberation, the jury returned.
Victoria was convicted on major conspiracy and fraud-related counts, along with child-endangerment-related offenses supported by the evidence.
Elena did not smile.
Victoria looked at her across the courtroom.
Then whispered:
"I never wanted him to die."
May you like
Elena answered quietly:
"You wanted him to be useful."
