“She paid for the house Luke and Hannah live in with Mark’s hard-earned money.”

“She paid for their flights, their cars, and their vacations to the Bahamas.”

“And when the money ran out, she tried to force Mark into this guardianship.”

“She wanted to control his estate permanently so the banks wouldn’t foreclose on Hannah’s house.”

The courtroom was completely silent except for the low hum of the air conditioning.

I watched Linda’s face turn from pale to a deep, angry red.

“You old fool,” she hissed under her breath.

Hannah began to cry silently, burying her face in her hands.

Judge Ramirez looked down at my father.

“Mr. Collins, you are admitting to being a party to this financial manipulation?” the judge asked.

“I was silent, Your Honor,” my father said, his voice dipping slightly.

“And for that, I am deeply ashamed.”

“But I kept the records because I knew this day would come.”

“Every single transaction is documented in detail.”

“Every forged signature has a corresponding IP address from my wife’s home computer.”

Sarah took the black ledger from my briefcase and handed it to the bailiff.