What He Said Under Oath
Chapter 17 - What He Said Under Oath
Adrian admitted that he'd signed broad security authorizations without appropriate scrutiny and had relied on Vivian despite warnings about her conduct. He described how his neglect had allowed a dangerous system to grow inside his home.
His testimony did not erase her responsibility. It did, however, tell the truth about his own failures. When his lawyer later asked whether he regretted being so candid, Adrian said, “I'd rather Lucy have a father who can admit he's wrong than a father who wins every argument.”
The court proceedings continued through the winter. Vivian eventually entered guilty pleas to several offenses under an agreement accepted by the court; other allegations were addressed according to their evidentiary strength. The disposition included restrictions protecting Lucy and financial restitution obligations. The investigation into the crash and Leon's involvement followed its own course, with some questions still unresolved.
I wasn't in court for the final hearing. I was teaching a class of seven-year-olds how to write thank-you notes. That evening I called Rose, who said she felt relieved and heartsick at once.
“You don't have to pick one feeling,” I told her.
She laughed softly. “You should've been a teacher all along.”
I looked around my apartment, where lesson plans covered the table. “I'm working on it.”
That spring Adrian invited me to Lucy's birthday party. I was hesitant. It had been months since I'd visited, and I didn't want her to feel I'd forgotten her. She answered the door herself, wearing a dress covered in yellow stars.
“Emma!” she shouted, launching into my arms.
May you like
She was taller. Louder. Happier. She introduced me to two friends and insisted I try her homemade lemonade. Adrian watched from the kitchen, smiling with genuine relief.
**Later, alone on the porch, he asked whether I might ever let him take me to dinner—and I didn't give him the answer he expected.**
