Victoria’s Last Defense
Chapter 13 - Victoria’s Last Defense
Victoria’s attorneys argued she acted under duress.
Richard caused the crash.
Richard controlled security.
Richard threatened Julian and Grace.
Victoria’s clinic visits were attempts to protect Thomas.
The records disagreed.
She approved medication increases after Thomas recognized her.
She rejected independent evaluations.
She instructed staff to describe family memories as delusions.
She authorized the midnight transfer on the day Emma planned rescue.
Still, the defense carried emotional power.
Victoria had lived for years beside Richard’s capacity for violence. Perhaps fear began the conspiracy. Perhaps she believed exposing him would endanger the children.
Thomas testified from a protected room.
He did not simplify her.
“Victoria was afraid,” he said. “Then she discovered fear could give her control. After that, she chose it repeatedly.”
The distinction mattered.
Julian listened while his mother watched through a screen.
Victoria asked to speak with Thomas privately.
He refused.
“No more rooms without witnesses.”
She looked older than Julian remembered.
“I loved you.”
Thomas closed his eyes.
“I believe you did.”
The courtroom shifted.
Love did not erase abuse.
Abuse did not prove love had never existed.
Both truths made consequence more painful, not less necessary.
Victoria admitted lying about the deaths of Julian and Grace to keep Thomas compliant. She claimed doctors recommended maintaining the delusion to avoid agitation.
Nurse Claire testified no ethical physician would approve such deception.
Then prosecutors played a recording from Victoria’s annual clinic visit.
Thomas asked, “Are the children safe?”
Victoria replied, “They are safe because they are gone.”
Julian left the room before the audio ended.
Emma found him in the corridor, breathing hard.
He leaned against her and allowed grief to exist without turning into anger.
“I kept wanting one fact that would make her not my mother.”
Emma held his face.
“There isn’t one.”
He nodded.
That was the hardest truth.
Victoria remained his mother.
She also helped imprison his father.
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The verdict would address the crime.
Julian would have to decide what the relationship meant afterward.
