Only a profound sense of pity.

She had sold her soul for a monthly rent check.

The defense attorney tried to cross-examine her, but she held firm.

She admitted to every document she had signed, every lie she had told on Derek’s behalf.

After three days of testimony, the defense rested without calling Derek to the stand.

The jury deliberated for less than three hours.

We sat in the hallway, the hard bench pressing into my back.

The bell rang, signaling a verdict.

We filed back into the courtroom.

The air felt even colder now.

“Has the jury reached a verdict?” the judge asked.

“We have, Your Honor,” the foreperson said.

They found Derek guilty on all counts.

First-degree arson, grand theft, forgery, and aggravated domestic battery.

Derek stood there, his face pale, his hands trembling slightly as the handcuffs were clicked onto his wrists.

He was led out through a side door, not looking back.

The judge scheduled sentencing for the following month.

At the sentencing hearing, the judge did not hold back.

He sentenced Derek to twenty-five years in state prison.