Chapter 25 - AURELIA TELLS THE JURY WHY SHE NEEDED ELLIOT TO SAY IT
Aurelia testified.
Of course.
She began with Rosalie’s death.
“I was there before the ambulance left.”
True.
“I held Clara while Stefano went to the hospital.”
True.
“I slept outside Elliot’s room for three nights.”
True.
She had done loving things.
Then:
“When did you begin the continuity plan?”
“About six weeks after Rosalie died.”
“Did Stefano ask?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“He needed it.”
There.
Not:
I asked him.
He needed it.
Then relocation.
“You knew Stefano planned to move?”
“Yes.”
“Did you want the children to leave?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“They had already lost their mother.”
“Would moving houses mean losing you?”
“No.”
“Then?”
She cried.
“They would not need me every day.”
There.
The deepest answer.
Then the mediator.
“Why ask Elliot to say you should be in charge?”
“I wanted Stefano to hear what the child already felt.”
“Did Elliot say he felt that?”
“No.”
“Then why practice the sentence?”
Aurelia looked down.
“I thought he was scared to say it.”
“Scared of whom?”
“Stefano.”
I nearly moved in my seat.
Did not.
Then:
“Did Elliot appear scared of Stefano during the call?”
Laurel had already said no.
Aurelia admitted:
“No.”
Then the SUV.
“Why shut the door?”
“He kept trying to get out.”
“Why lock it?”
“So he would stop.”
“Why not start the engine?”
“I was angry.”
“Did you see the cabin warning?”
“Yes.”
“Why dismiss it?”
“I thought I was opening the door in a second.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“What were you waiting for?”
Silence.
Then:
“For him to say he would cooperate.”
There.
Coercion.
Exactly the plea phrase she refused.
Then Clara.
“What did Clara need to obey?”
Aurelia’s face broke.
“Nothing.”
“Why was she locked too?”
“I wasn’t thinking.”
That was not a defense.
It was probably true.
Then the question that ended her authority story.
“Did Rosalie nominate you to replace Stefano while Stefano was alive, present, and fit?”
“No.”
“Did any court?”
“No.”
“Did Stefano?”
“No.”
“Then who made you primary caregiver?”
Aurelia whispered:
“I did.”
There.
No mastermind.
No forged will.
May you like
No hidden fortune.
A woman who became indispensable during grief and promoted herself into authority no one had granted.
