Chapter 18 - THE VERDICTThe jury returned after several hours.
Maria stood.
The judge read the charges.
Attempted murder.
Conspiracy.
Fraud.
Forgery.
Obstruction of justice.
Guilty.
One after another.
Maria closed her eyes.
For a moment, she looked smaller than Ethan had ever seen her.
As the bailiffs approached, she turned toward him.
“I was so close.”
Ethan looked at her.
“You buried the wrong man.”
Maria stared.
“You should have stayed dead.”
Ethan's voice remained calm.
“No.”
He glanced toward his father.
“We were never yours to bury.”
Maria was led away.
The courtroom erupted in noise.
Outside, cameras flashed.
But Ethan didn't look at them.
May you like
He looked at his father.
For the first time in months, the two men simply smiled at each other.
