Chapter 13 - The Courtroom
Six months later, I sat in the front row of the federal courthouse.
I wore a sharp, tailored navy suit paid for by my first settlement check.
Arthur Sterling sat at the defense table.
He looked ten years older, his hair completely white, his posture broken.
He didn't even look at me.
He couldn't handle the shame.
Julian had taken a plea deal early on.
He testified against our father in exchange for a reduced sentence of three years in minimum security.
Arthur had tried to fight the charges, but my USB drive was bulletproof.
The jury deliberated for less than four hours.
"Will the defendant please rise?" the judge commanded.
Arthur stood up on trembling legs.
"On the counts of wire fraud, embezzlement, and identity theft, we find the defendant guilty on all charges."
The judge slammed his gavel.
"Arthur Sterling, you are sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison."
"Without the possibility of early parole."
My father collapsed back into his chair, weeping openly.
There was no pride left in him.
He was just an old, corrupt man who had finally met his reckoning.
My mother sat three rows behind me, staring blankly at the floor.
She was awaiting her own trial for financial fraud next month.
I stood up from the wooden bench, smoothed my jacket, and walked out of the courtroom.
I didn't look back.
May you like
I didn't need to.
That chapter of my life was officially permanently closed.
