Chapter 17 - The Trial of Sorrows
The courtroom was suffocating. Media cameras lined the hallways outside. Inside, my father sat via video link from his prison cell, looking smug beside a triumphant Victoria Vance. Sarah sat across from me, flanked by her new team of high-priced lawyers.
I sat alone, with only my attorney and Julian behind me. Ethan and Emma were in the judge's private chambers, being interviewed by a child psychologist.
Sarah’s lawyers presented the edited audio tapes, the media reports, and the testimony of paid 'experts' claiming I was unfit. When it was my turn, my lawyer played the audio recording from the restaurant.
Victoria’s face drained of color as her own voice echoed through the courtroom, detailing the extortion plot, the plan to steal the children's trust funds, and my father's involvement.
"This recording was obtained without consent!" Victoria shouted, losing her composure.
"In this state, emergency wiretaps are admissible if there is reasonable belief a felony kidnapping is being planned," the judge ruled coldly, glaring at Victoria.
However, the drama wasn't over. Sarah stood up, crying hysterically. "He forced me to say those things! He threatened my life! Look at what he did to his own father!"
Suddenly, the doors of the courtroom burst open. The child psychologist stepped out of the chambers, holding Ethan by the hand. The judge frowned. "Mr. Ethan, you are not supposed to be in the main courtroom."
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Ethan looked at the judge, then at Sarah, and finally at me. He pulled a small, digital voice recorder from his pocket—the one I had given him weeks ago for his school projects.
"My mommy told me to lie to you, Judge," Ethan’s voice was steady, though he was trembling. "But I recorded what she said to me at the school fence last week. She said if I didn't say my Dad hits me, she would make sure I never see my sister again."
