Vanessa stayed on the witness stand after her testimony ended.
The judge had called for a brief recess. The prosecution was scrambling. Martin Chen was reviewing notes for closing arguments. The gallery was buzzing with whispered speculation about what this meant for the case.
But Vanessa just sat there.
In the witness box.
Staring at her hands.
Looking smaller than Sienna had ever seen her.
Not the polished, untouchable woman who had once moved through elite circles like she owned them. Not the carefully curated image of confidence and control. This version of Vanessa looked… human. Fragile in a way that made the damage she'd caused feel more complicated, not less.
After the courtroom cleared—after the jury was escorted out and the spectators filed into the hallway—Vanessa finally looked up.
Found Sienna still sitting in the gallery.
The only person who'd stayed.
"Can we talk?" Vanessa asked. Her voice was quiet. Raw. "Please. I know I don't deserve—"
"Five minutes."
