Six months later, the Dallas County Courthouse was packed with local news reporters and legal teams. Evelyn Sterling sat at the defense table in a bright orange prison jumpsuit, her gray hair unstyled and her wrists bound in steel chains.
Across the aisle sat Carter, Sarah, and Lily, flanked by their lead prosecutor, Arthur Pendelton.
Judge Miller: "This court is now in session to deliver sentencing in the state case against Evelyn Sterling."
Prosecutor Pendelton: "Your Honor, the state has presented physical rope evidence, DNA from the well, recorded phone threats, and the direct testimony of seven-year-old Lily Sterling."
Evelyn's Lawyer: "Your Honor, my client is seventy years old! We request leniency and home confinement due to her advanced age!"
Judge Miller: "Leniency?! Your client attempted to drown a child in a dark stone well to secure an inheritance!"
Judge Miller adjusted his glasses, looking down at Evelyn with absolute severity.
Judge Miller: "Evelyn Sterling, your actions demonstrate a level of calculated, evil cruelty that has no place in a civil society."
Evelyn: "It was my estate! I built that family!"
Judge Miller: "Silence! For the charge of attempted capital murder, you are sentenced to twenty-five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice without the possibility of parole."
Evelyn: "NO! Carter, tell them to stop! You can't let your own mother die in prison!"
The heavy wooden gavel slammed down with a loud, resounding crack.
Bailiffs grabbed Evelyn by her arms, pulling her away from the defense table as she screamed and kicked violently. Sarah held Lily's ears gently, shielding her from the wicked woman's cries as Evelyn was dragged behind the heavy metal doors into the holding cell.
Carter: "It's over, Sarah. The dark past is completely gone."
Sarah: "We can finally rebuild our family in peace."