Chapter 8 - MARGARET’S TESTIMONY
Margaret testified before Victor’s trial.
She admitted helping bury Daniel Moore’s case.
She admitted accepting money.
She admitted suspecting Lorraine had concealed Emily’s trust long before she obtained proof.
The prosecutor asked:
“Why did you wait?”
Margaret replied:
“Cowardice dressed as caution.”
The phrase appeared in newspapers.
She hated that people admired it.
Honesty did not erase delay.
Victor’s attorney attacked her.
“You assaulted my client.”
“Yes.”
“You planted a recording device.”
“Yes.”
“You orchestrated a public scene.”
“I preserved evidence of a scene Lorraine and Victor orchestrated.”
“You expected conflict.”
“Yes.”
“You allowed Emily to enter danger.”
Margaret’s voice broke for the first time.
“Yes.”
Emily sat in the back row.
She had not planned to attend.
Margaret continued.
“I believed I needed perfect evidence because I feared the family’s lawyers. I treated Emily’s suffering as part of a case instead of her life.”
The courtroom went silent.
After testimony, Margaret found Emily in the hallway.
She did not approach.
Emily walked toward her.
“You finally said it.”
“Yes.”
“Not that you failed me. How.”
“Yes.”
Emily studied her.
“I am not ready to forgive you.”
“I know.”
“But I believe you now.”
Margaret’s eyes filled.
That was all.
No embrace.
May you like
No dramatic reunion.
Just the beginning of a different relationship.
