Chapter 10 - THE FALL OF THE CARTERSThree months later, the criminal trial began.
The courtroom overflowed with reporters.
The prosecution presented everything.
Bank records.
Emails.
Fake transactions.
Hidden accounts.
Investor testimony.
And then came my testimony.
I told the jury about the dinner.
The plate.
The lies.
The money.
The isolation.
The threats.
I didn't cry.
I didn't look at Ryan.
I simply told the truth.
Then Ryan took the stand again.
This time, he testified against his own parents.
He told the jury everything.
The plan.
The manipulation.
The fraud.
The money.
The years of deception.
The jury deliberated for three days.
Then came the verdict.
Guilty.
Ryan.
Guilty.
Richard.
Guilty.
Diane.
Guilty.
At sentencing, Diane screamed that I had destroyed her family.
But I didn't feel victorious.
I felt empty.
The past had finally lost its power over me.
Outside the courthouse, Dad wrapped his arm around me.
"You did it."
I looked at him.
"No."
May you like
I smiled through my tears.
"We did."
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