The floral arrangement of white lilies smelled sickeningly sweet inside the small chapel. After twenty years in the United States Army, leading troops through high-intensity environments,

A month before the formal trial was set to begin, Trevor’s defense team submitted an urgent request for a plea bargain meeting with the prosecution. They insisted that Trevor had critical information regarding Margaret’s broader financial crimes in exchange for a reduced sentence.

As the primary victim and surviving parent, I was granted permission to attend the confidential session in the courthouse conference room.

Trevor sat at the long wooden table, dressed in a orange jumpsuit, accompanied by his public defender. When I walked into the room with ADA Jenkins, he flinched, pulling his hands back into his lap.

"Victoria," Trevor said softly, his voice trembling. "Thank you for coming."

"I am here to listen to the prosecution's assessment, Trevor," I said flatly, taking a seat at the far end of the table. "Not to speak with you."

ADA Jenkins opened her folder. "Mr. Hart, your counsel indicates you are willing to testify fully against your mother, Margaret Hart, in exchange for removing the death penalty consideration and capping your sentence at forty years."

Trevor looked at me desperately. "Tori, please tell them you agree to this. I can give them everything on Mom's illegal accounts! I can help lock her away forever!"

"You want a deal?" I asked, leaning forward, resting my forearms on the table. "You helped poison our twin boys for money, Trevor. You stood in the kitchen while your mother put lethal chemicals into their bottles, and then you went to sleep."

"I was terrified of her!" Trevor sobbed. "She controlled my whole life! She threatened to expose my debts to the military command and ruin your career if I didn't help her!"

"You didn't care about my career," I countered coldly. "You cared about yourself. You are a coward who hid behind your mother’s toxicity your entire adult life, and when things went wrong, you sacrificed your own children."

"I'm sorry!" he wailed, burying his face in his hands. "I am so sorry, Victoria!"

"Sorry doesn't bring Ethan and Leo back," I said, my voice steady and unwavering. "ADA Jenkins, the State will not offer a plea deal. We go to trial, and we seek the maximum sentence permitted by law for both defendants."

Jenkins nodded firmly. "The State concurs. Plea offer rejected."

Trevor looked up in absolute horror as his attorney tried to calm him down. "Victoria, please! Don't leave me to die in prison!"

I stood up, adjusting my jacket, looking down at the man I had once loved and trusted.