Gabriela collapsed to her knees, sobbing with relief. Daisy looked at her and whispered as she was led away, “Do not cry, Gabi. I told them.”
That evening, Brandon confronted Cassandra in the mansion study. She paced like a predator.
“You are letting a confused child destroy everything,” Cassandra hissed.
Brandon stood slowly. “I saw her fear. I heard her truth. I ignored it once. I will not again.”
Cassandra’s smile sharpened. “Do you know what the press will do to you if you turn against me now.”
“I would rather be ashamed than blind,” Brandon said.
Upstairs, Daisy curled under her blanket, whispering to her rabbit. “It has to end soon.”
The next morning the courthouse swarmed with media. Gabriela walked in with new strength in her posture despite the shackles on her wrists.
Fiona filed a motion to dismiss. The judge called Detective Ruiz to the stand. Ruiz presented the lab report.