Chapter 8 - THE EVIDENCE UNVEILED
The trial of Bennett Hale and Ava Monroe was the scandal of the year.
The courtroom was packed with the elite of Manhattan,
everyone wanting to see the fall of the golden couple.
I was the star witness.
I sat on the stand,
looking at Bennett.
He looked like a ghost of the man I had married.
Broken,
shamed,
and alone.
Ava sat next to him,
refusing to look in his direction.
They had been attacking each other through their lawyers for weeks.
I presented the recordings Ava had given me.
The sound of Bennett's voice,
coldly discussing my "disposal,"
filled the room.
The jury looked at him with disgust.
The judge looked at him with disdain.
I presented the forged documents,
the bank records,
and the plan for the recovery facility.
The evidence was overwhelming.
Bennett's lawyer tried to cross-examine me,
trying to paint me as a vengeful wife.
"Isn't it true you were always jealous of Miss Monroe?"
he asked.
"I wasn't jealous of a thief,"
I replied,
my voice steady.
"I was disappointed in a husband."
"And I am here to ensure that no other woman is ever 'handled' by him again."
The courtroom erupted in applause,
and the judge had to call for order.
When the verdict was read,
guilty on all counts,
I felt a strange sense of peace.
Bennett was sentenced to fifteen years.
Ava was given ten.
As they were led away,
Bennett looked at me one last time.
"I'm sorry,
Vivienne,"
he mouthed.
I didn't answer.
I walked out of the courtroom,
into the bright light of a new day.
Arthur Sterling was waiting for me.
"You did well,
Vivienne."
"Your father would be proud."
"I think I'm proud of myself,
Arthur,"
I said.
"For the first time in a long time."
I went back to the Greenwich house and sat in the garden.
The lilies were in bloom,
their scent sweet and pure.
The house was quiet,
May you like
the water was calm,
and I was finally free.
