CHAPTER 5 — THE VERDICT
CHAPTER 5 — THE VERDICT
Six months later...
I held my newborn son as the judge entered the courtroom.
The baby slept peacefully in my arms.
He had never known fear.
Only love.
After nearly three hours of testimony, the judge delivered the final ruling.
Santiago Rivas was found guilty of aggravated domestic violence, conspiracy to commit fraud, document forgery, attempted unlawful deprivation of parental rights, and multiple financial crimes.
He was sentenced to years in federal prison.
Beatriz was convicted as a co-conspirator and received a lengthy prison sentence of her own.
The court permanently terminated Santiago's parental rights.
My son would never again be used as a weapon.
As we walked out of the courthouse, reporters surrounded us.
One shouted,
"Mrs. Salazar, do you have anything to say to your ex-husband?"
I smiled gently.
"No."
"I've already spent enough years answering to him."
May you like
Then I walked away.
Without looking back.
