Chapter 2: The Trial
The courthouse overflowed with reporters.
Cassandra arrived dressed in white.
Elegant as always.
She smiled for every camera.
Until the prosecution played the videos.
The courtroom fell silent.
There was no dramatic music.
No narration.
Only Lily's trembling voice.
"I'm trying..."
"I'm really trying..."
Then Cassandra answered.
"Good dogs don't complain."
Several jurors lowered their eyes.
One court reporter quietly wiped away tears.
Cassandra's attorney argued the recordings lacked context.
The prosecutor simply placed Lily's notebook beside the screen.
Every punishment written in Cassandra's handwriting matched the dates and times shown on the security footage.
There was no explanation left.
Only evidence.
When the verdict was read...
The courtroom remained completely silent.
Guilty.
On every count related to child abuse and coercive treatment.
As officers fastened handcuffs around Cassandra's wrists, she looked toward Marcus one last time.
"I loved you."
Marcus answered calmly.
May you like
"If you had loved my daughter..."
"You never would have feared a camera."
