Victoria arrived at ten and stopped when she saw them. She smiled, dismissive. “You brought ghosts.”

Marisol, a former friend of Victoria’s who had come over to our side, stepped forward. “No. Survivors.”

Inside, Victoria’s attorney painted Chloe as unstable — until Evelyn stood. “Your Honor, we have medical records, photographs, keycard access logs, and a document discussing a coercive property-transfer plan.”

Then the hotel-corridor audio played, and Lewis’s voice filled the room: “Mom, don’t hit her too much in the face. People will notice tomorrow.”

The courtroom went silent. Even Judge Pierce looked sick.

Then a woman named Clara Gutierrez entered. She had been Victoria’s first daughter-in-law, and she had officially vanished years before.