Chapter 9 - THE TRIAL AND THE VERDICT
Sabrina Vale’s trial was the media circus of the century.
The prosecution presented a mountain of evidence: the toxicology reports from the poisoned milk, Derek Vale’s recorded confession, the offshore bank transfers, and the testimony of the mechanic who had sabotaged Daniel Caldwell’s car.
Grace sat in the front row of the courtroom every single day, her hand tightly holding Ethan’s. Lily did not have to testify. The evidence was so overwhelming that the judge dismissed the defense's attempt to force the child onto the stand.
Sabrina sat at the defense table, her silver gowns replaced by a drab orange jumpsuit. She looked haggard, her arrogance finally stripped away by the crushing reality of her impending doom. She refused to look at Ethan or Grace, staring blankly at the judge.
On the final day of the trial, the jury deliberated for less than two hours.
The foreman stood up. “We find the defendant, Sabrina Vale, guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted kidnapping, and child endangerment in the first degree.”
The courtroom erupted. Sabrina slumped in her chair, sobbing hysterically as the bailiffs pulled her to her feet to transport her to federal prison, where she would spend the rest of her natural life without the possibility of parole.
As the judge slammed the gavel, concluding the nightmare that had haunted the Caldwell family for years, Ethan let out a breath he felt like he had been holding for a lifetime. He turned to Grace, his eyes shining with tears of absolute relief.
May you like
“It’s over,” he whispered.
“It’s over,” Grace smiled, squeezing his hand.
