Chapter 8
Just like I’d promised. I saw Kevin again real soon.
In court, the judge asked if he’d witnessed Lillian forcing Sophie into the trunk on the dashcam footage.||
Kevin suddenly turned to me:
“Rachel, if I testify, will you come back to me?”
“Your Honor, I did see-”
Then he stopped mid–sentence.[]
He’d noticed the man sitting beside me, gently squeezing my hand for support. And I wasn’t pulling away–I was actually smiling at him.
Kevin’s eyes narrowed as recognition hit:
“Harlan Johnson? What the fuck are you doing here?
“I get it now. The bodyguards, the lawyers–all your doing. No wonder someone actually took Rachel’s case. After all these years, you’re still trying to steal her from me!
Harlan gave him a cold stare:[]
“You’ve got it backwards, Kevin. This time Rachel chose me. You had her and threw it all away.
The judge slammed his gavel:[]
“Mr. Howard! Answer the question!“]
Kevin suddenly backtracked:[]
“Actually, I was mistaken. I never saw any dashcam footage.“]
He stared at me with that predatory look:
“Rachel, that flash drive is gone. I’m your only shot at nailing this bitch. You know what I want–come back to me.“]
Disgust washed over my face:[]
“Kevin, you’re even more disgusting than I thought.”
“But I’m not coming back, and I don’t need your damn testimony!”
Your Honor, I have additional evidence!“]
Kevin and Lillian’s faces went white as I pulled out the video from Sophie’s smartwatch
The courtroom fell silent as Lillian’s crimes played out in horrifying detail.[]
In just four days, my daughter had endured nearly a hundred different tortures.
Right up until that final day, when Lillian shoved her into the trunk despite Sophie’s desperate protests.[]
“Little bitch, you’re tougher than I thought. All that stuff you’re allergic to and you still won’t die.“[]
“Let’s see how long you can hold your breath. Don’t blame me–blame your fucking mommy for making me her stand–in.“]
“Kevin wants me playing second fiddle to that bitch? Fine. I’ll take out her kid first. One less problem fighting for his money later!“[]
Everyone in the courtroom glared at Lillian with hatred.
This wasn’t an accident–it was premeditated murder.
Lillian’s face went ashen. She’d watched Sophie’s every move, never giving her a chance to call me
But she’d underestimated a child’s intelligence. [
Sophie had secretly recorded everything and, in her final moments, managed to slip the watch under the car.
My heart felt like it was being carved out with a knife.]
In the end, Lillian got the death penalty.
Kevin faced prison time for evidence tampering, harboring a criminal, and assault.
As they dragged him out, he lost his shit:[]
“Think you won, Harlan?“]
“My company’s go
O
‘s got the best lawyers money can buy! I’ll be out soon, and Rachel will be mine!
