Chapter 6 - The Witness
Grace became the key witness.
Her testimony connected Vanessa to Carter.
Carter to Lucas.
Lucas to Richard.
And Richard to the financial scheme.
But the trial wasn't easy.
Richard's attorneys attacked her credibility.
“She is only a housekeeper,” one lawyer said.
Grace sat silently.
Then she looked at him.
“I may clean houses.”
She paused.
“But I was the only person who jumped into that pool.”
The courtroom went quiet.
“I didn't know how much money Mr. Whitmore had. I didn't know who stood to inherit it. I didn't know any of these people.”
Her voice remained steady.
“I saw a baby sinking.”
She looked at the jury.
“So I jumped.”
Ethan watched from behind her.
He was proud.
The verdict came months later.
Richard was convicted.
Carter received a lengthy sentence.
Vanessa pleaded guilty.
Lucas cooperated and received a reduced sentence.
But Grace still struggled.
She had nightmares.
Sometimes she woke believing she was underwater.
Ethan noticed.
One morning, he found her sitting beside the pool.
“You okay?”
She shook her head.
“Not really.”
He sat beside her.
“You don't have to be.”
She looked at him.
“Your son almost died.”
“But he didn't.”
“Because I was there.”
“Yes.”
They sat quietly.
Then Noah began crying inside.
Grace smiled.
“He knows.”
Ethan laughed.
“You think so?”
“I do.”
She stood.
“Come on.”
They went inside.
Noah reached toward Grace.
Ethan watched.
Something changed inside him.
He had spent his life believing people were defined by status.
Titles.
Money.
Power.
May you like
Grace had none of those.
Yet she had shown more courage than anyone in his world.
