Chapter 12
Victoria testified against Raymond.
Raymond testified against Victoria.
Their love story ended in mutual blame under fluorescent courtroom lights.
Victoria claimed Raymond manipulated her.
Raymond claimed Victoria planned everything.
Both claimed Sabrina misunderstood.
Sabrina stood on the third day.
Her voice shook.
“I did not misunderstand everything.”
Victoria turned sharply.
“Sabrina.”
Sabrina flinched.
Then kept going.
“I knew Dad paid for the wedding. I knew Mom cut his suit. I knew Raymond wanted money. I told myself it was okay because I wanted a perfect wedding and a real father.”
She looked at me.
“But Glenn was the real father.”
My throat tightened.
She continued.
“And I treated him like a wallet with bad hands.”
The prosecutor asked, “Did your mother discuss mortgaging his property?”
“Yes.”
“Did you laugh?”
Sabrina closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
Victoria hissed something under her breath.
The judge warned her.
Sabrina cried harder but did not stop.
She described the trust withdrawal.
The pressure.
The lie that Raymond deserved repayment for “lost years.”
Then the defense asked if she was testifying to avoid prison.
She answered, “I am testifying because I finally heard myself on that recording.”
That was the first time I believed she might truly change.
Not because she praised me.
Because she was ashamed without asking me to comfort her.
After court, she approached me.
“Dad—”
She stopped.
“Glenn.”
I looked at her.
She whispered, “Can I call you Dad someday if I earn it?”
My eyes burned.
“Someday is a long road.”
May you like
“I know.”
“Then start walking.”
