Chapter 3: Justice for Aaron's Children
The criminal trial began nearly a year later.
Reena pleaded not guilty.
Peter sat in the courtroom beside Drew and Lily's victim advocate.
When Drew testified through closed-circuit television, the courtroom fell silent.
He never exaggerated.
He simply told the truth.
How they counted footsteps upstairs.
How Lily cried because she was hungry.
How he waited until the house was quiet before carrying her outside.
The medical evidence matched everything.
The surveillance footage confirmed it.
The messages removed every remaining doubt.
The jury returned guilty verdicts on multiple felony charges after only a few hours of deliberation.
Peter wasn't celebrating.
Justice couldn't erase what had happened.
But it meant no other child would suffer the same way.
As they left the courthouse, reporters called Peter's name.
He ignored every microphone.
May you like
Drew reached for his hand.
That was the only answer Peter cared about.
