“I heard her tell her mother that the problem was taken care of.”

Melanie’s attorney tried to argue that it was a family dispute that had gotten out of hand.

But the evidence was too overwhelming.

The ledger I had recovered from the safe house detailed every penny they had stolen from my trust.

It showed the systematic liquidation of my grandfather’s properties.

On the fifth day, the jury returned with their verdicts.

They found all three of them guilty on all counts.

My mother began to weep loudly, her head falling onto the defense table.

My father sat perfectly still, his jaw clenched so hard his temple pulsed.

Melanie stared at the jury box, her eyes wide with shock.

The sentencing phase began immediately after the lunch recess.

Judge Thomas looked down at my family from his high bench.

“The cruelty demonstrated in this case is shocking,” the judge said, his voice cold and measured.

“To systematically strip your own daughter of her inheritance is vile.”

“To attempt to take her life to cover up your greed is monstrous.”

He leaned forward, adjusting his glasses.