Chapter 13 - The VerdictThe jury deliberated for less than three hours.
When they returned, everyone stood.
Valerie was found guilty on all major counts.
Attempted first-degree murder.
Child abuse.
Conspiracy.
Fraud-related offenses.
She would spend decades behind bars.
David closed his eyes.
Elaine felt tears slide down her face.
The judge's final words echoed through the courtroom.
“Mr. Sterling's children survived because an ordinary citizen chose extraordinary courage.”
Elaine looked toward Leo's empty seat beside David.
She thought about Julian.
For fifteen years she had believed she had failed her son.
But perhaps she had finally understood something.
May you like
Sometimes love doesn't disappear.
Sometimes it waits.
Related Stories
Chapter 14 - A New FamilyOne year later, Elaine retired from teaching.
Chapter 15 - The Scars of a HeroLeo's scars remained.
Chapter 16 - The Shadow of JulianOne evening, Elaine sat alone beneath the mesquite trees.
Chapter 17 - The Hero's PromiseLeo eventually returned to school full-time.
Chapter 18 - The Life They Almost LostYears later, David still remembered the phone call.
Chapter 19 - The Warmth After the FireOn a late summer evening, the family gathered around the backyard table.
