Chapter 19 - The Hearing
Three weeks later, Gloria appeared in court wearing gray instead of sapphire.
The arrogance remained.
Her attorney argued that she had acted under financial pressure and that Elliot had never been in “serious danger.”
Valentina nearly stood up.
Rachel touched her arm.
“Wait.”
The prosecutor played the boathouse recording captured by Marco’s body camera.
Gloria’s own voice filled the courtroom:
“You should have let me finish this months ago.”
Then:
“The car accident.”
Her attorney stopped taking notes.
Next came Serena’s recording.
Then the forged signatures.
Then the ledger.
Then the photograph of six-year-old Elliot with a red handprint across his cheek.
Gloria finally looked away.
Nathan testified last.
He admitted his own old financial fraud before the defense could use it against him.
“I spent years being afraid of my mother,” he said. “That fear made me weak. My wife and son paid for it.”
The prosecutor asked, “Did Mrs. Reyes ever authorize the transfer of Blackthorn Estate?”
“No.”
“Did she ever authorize use of Elliot’s trust?”
“No.”
“Did you see your mother strike Elliot at the wedding?”
Nathan’s voice broke.
“Yes.”
“What did you do?”
Nathan looked toward Valentina.
“Nothing.”
The word hurt more because it was true.
After the hearing, Gloria was denied bail pending trial.
Outside the courthouse, reporters shouted questions.
Valentina ignored them and held Elliot’s hand.
Nathan approached slowly.
“I found an apartment,” he said. “Close to Elliot’s school, but not too close to Blackthorn.”
Valentina nodded.
“I start therapy tomorrow.”
Another nod.
He looked at Elliot.
“Can I take you for pancakes Saturday?”
Elliot looked up at Valentina first.
That broke Nathan’s heart.
May you like
Valentina saw it.
And she did not rescue him from it.
