Chapter 9 - THE LAST MOVE
Rebecca's smile frightened Vanessa.
She leaned toward Ethan.
“She's not finished.”
Before Ethan could answer, Rebecca stood.
Her attorney objected.
The judge ordered her to sit.
Rebecca ignored him.
“I have something to say.”
The courtroom fell silent.
She looked directly at Ethan.
“You think Vanessa is innocent?”
Ethan stared at her.
“She is.”
Rebecca laughed.
“Ask her about the night your mother died.”
Vanessa's face went pale.
Ethan turned toward her.
“What is she talking about?”
Vanessa whispered,
“I didn't kill your mother.”
“I didn't ask that.”
Rebecca smiled.
“She was there.”
Ethan looked at Vanessa.
“Were you?”
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
The courtroom erupted.
Ethan felt as if the floor had disappeared.
Vanessa turned toward him.
“I was nineteen.”
“You knew my mother?”
“She called me.”
“Why?”
“She knew I had evidence against your father.”
Ethan stared.
“What happened that night?”
“She asked me to bring documents.”
Vanessa's voice trembled.
“When I arrived, she was already sick.”
“Did you leave her?”
“No.”
“I called emergency services.”
Rebecca shouted,
“She left her!”
Vanessa turned.
“I stayed until the ambulance arrived.”
The prosecutor confirmed the emergency call.
Rebecca's accusation collapsed.
But Ethan was devastated.
Not because Vanessa had done anything wrong.
Because she had carried another secret.
After the hearing, Ethan stood outside.
Vanessa approached.
“I was afraid.”
“I know.”
“I thought if I told you everything, you'd hate me.”
Ethan looked at her.
“I don't hate you.”
She cried quietly.
“I don't know how to trust you anymore.”
He nodded.
“Then don't.”
She looked surprised.
“Trust me slowly.”
He took her hand.
“We'll rebuild it.”
Behind them, police escorted Rebecca away.
She looked at Ethan one last time.
“You'll regret choosing her.”
Ethan didn't respond.
The courtroom doors closed.
May you like
For the first time in years, Vanessa felt something unfamiliar.
Hope.
