Chapter 8 - The Star Witness
"The prosecution calls Lily Vance to the stand," Arthur announced.
Vanessa jumped out of her seat. "No! Leave my daughter out of this!"
The judge ordered Vanessa to sit down. Seven-year-old Lily, Vanessa’s daughter, walked timidly into the courtroom. She looked terrified, but when she saw Emma sitting in the front row with Rachel, Lily offered a small, brave wave.
Arthur approached the girl gently. "Lily, do you remember the morning Emma got hurt?"
Lily nodded, clutching a teddy bear. "Yes. Mommy was mad."
"Was it an accident, Lily? Did the pan slip?"
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Lily shook her head, her voice echoing clearly through the silent microphone. "No. Mommy told me the night before that she hated Emma. She said she was going to find a way to make her ugly so Grandpa would stop looking at her. She hit her on purpose. And then she told me if I ever told the truth, she’d burn me too."
Chaos erupted in the courtroom. Vanessa screamed at her own daughter, calling her a liar. The bailiffs had to physically restrain Vanessa and drag her back to her chair. The jury stared at her with absolute horror.
