But the most damaging evidence was the medical records.

Dr. Amelia Hart took the stand.

She spoke clearly, her voice echoing in the quiet courtroom.

She described the old scars on Sophie’s arms.

She showed the X-rays of Grace’s collarbone, which had healed crookedly without medical attention.

She described the psychological terror Vanessa used to keep the girls quiet.

“They were kept isolated,” Dr. Hart testified.

“They were told their father did not want them.”

“And that if they complained, they would be sent away to separate institutions.”

I watched Benjamin as she spoke.

He sat in the front row of the gallery, his knuckles white as he gripped the wooden bench.

He did not look away.

He forced himself to hear every word.

The defense tried to argue that Benjamin was the one responsible.

They claimed Vanessa was merely managing a difficult household while her husband was absent.

But the financial records disproved their claims.

The digital signatures on the offshore transfers belonged to Vanessa and Julian alone.

The jury took only four hours to deliberate.

When the foreperson stood up, the room was completely silent.