By the time the candles were lit, Emma Carter had already decided that her eighth birthday was the best day of her life.

The day of the sentencing arrived in early autumn.

The courtroom was packed. Clara, Mark, dozens of neighbors, and several fellow soldiers from Daniel’s unit sat on our side of the gallery, filling the oak benches with silent, unwavering support.

On the other side of the aisle sat Richard Vance, alone. His firm had declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy two days prior. His suits hung loose on his diminished frame. Diane was absent, currently serving a six-month sentence in the county correctional facility for witness bribery and probation violations.

Vanessa sat at the defense table, trembling.

The judge, the Honorable Patricia Hayes, a stern woman with twenty-five years on the bench, adjusted her reading glasses and looked down at the court documents.

"In my twenty-five years on this bench," Judge Hayes began, her voice echoing off the high stone walls, "I have rarely seen such callous disregard for a child's safety from the very people who should have been her shelter."

Judge Hayes looked directly at Vanessa.

"You struck an innocent child in the face with enough force to shatter bone. You then attempted to use public platforms to humiliate the victim and her mother. You have shown an appalling lack of basic human decency."

Vanessa began to weep, real tears of terror spilling down her cheeks. "Your Honor, please... I have an anxiety disorder... I can't survive in prison..."

"You should have considered your anxiety before you broke your niece's nose," Judge Hayes cut in without an ounce of pity.

"On the count of Second-Degree Felony Assault on a Minor, I sentence you, Vanessa Vance, to six years at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, without the possibility of early release for the first four years. Following your release, you will complete five years of supervised probation, during which you are permanently barred from any contact, direct or indirect, with Emma Carter."

The gavel slammed down with a resounding *CRACK*.

Vanessa shrieked, collapsing into her chair as the bailiffs pulled her to her feet and led her through the heavy steel holding door.

Richard sat frozen in his bench, his head bowed, completely broken.