Judge Stoneridge called the court to order after a brief recess. "Theodore Blake, will you please take the witness stand?" Theodore proceeded to the box. Then the judge called Nathan to ask any last questions he might have.

"Mr. Blake," He nodded towards Theodore. "After Anne woke up from her coma, why did you tell her that Harry was dead?"

He hung his head to make it look like he felt shame for what he had done, but I knew him better than that. He wasn't capable of shame. "I hated her," he admitted. "She ruined my family and she was alive while my father was dead. I just wanted her out of my life. I wanted her to be dead." The jury gasped at his candor.

"If you wanted her to be dead, why didn't you just kill her?" Nathan asked.

"I'm not a murderer," Theodore seethed.

"But you did kill Mary Lemke, the woman you supposedly loved," Nathan pressed.

"It wasn't quite that simple," Theodore said. "I thought she loved me. But when she wouldn't help me raise Harry, I knew she felt differently. It was hard for me to let her go."

My blood chilled as he spoke. Even now, his words and his thinking were twisted. Of course,  Mary had wanted the best for Harry, and that would have been to be reunited with Anne. But Theodore could only see it from his own selfish and distorted perspective, that it would affect him adversely if Mary uncovered the truth.

He continued, "She was going to leave me and betray me. I couldn't let that happen. I didn't think about it, I was just so hurt and angry, so I killed her. Waters was wrong." His voice cracked and he pretended to wipe away a tear. That sick fucker. "I do have a conscience and every day, I wish I could take back what I did to Mary. I didn't mean to kill her, I just...I just panicked."

"But then after you killed her, you enlisted Henry Waters to help you cover up the evidence, rather than doing the decent thing and turning yourself in."

"What would you have done?" Theodore growled. "I killed the woman I loved. In her sleep. Do you think they were going to let me off easy?"

"That was close to fifteen years ago," Nathan answered. "If you had turned yourself in and gone to prison, possibly on a second degree murder charge, you'd be close to finished by now. And maybe with good behavior, you could have gotten out on parole already, but now look at you." He turned to the judge. "No further questions, your honor."

Klinefeld stood to ask his last few questions. "Theodore, how did you feel the day your father died?"

"Empty. Like everything good in my life had just been sucked away. He raised me and trained me by his side. I was devastated."

"There must have been some part of you that felt it was an injustice that Anne and Harry survived while your father perished," Klinefeld suggested.

"Objection," Nathan said.

"Overruled," the judge replied.

Theodore answered. "Of course I did. They weren't family to me. Why did it have to be my father?"  Again with the fake tears. I hated Theodore with my life.

"What was your mindset when Anne awoke from her coma?" Samuel asked.

"It was three months after my father had died. I was trying to run the business and the household and find people to help me take care of a baby, for God's sake. I was beside myself with angst and grief and I hadn't had a decent night's sleep in months. I wasn't thinking straight at all."

"Wouldn't it have been easier to just tell Anne the truth?" Klinefeld asked and Theodore gave him a venomous look that told me he didn't expect the question.

"Of course," he growled. "But at the time, I just wanted to hurt her. Strike out at her any way I could."

"All right, let's move forward. What were you planning for Harry long-term? You must have known that he would eventually grow too old for you to keep him locked up in your home? Were you planning to kill Harry for real?"

"Of course not," Theodore spat. "I never wanted to kill anyone."

"So then what was your plan? And please remember, you are under oath."

"Send him away," Theodore practically whispered.

"Please repeat that more loudly for the jury," Klinefeld instructed.

"I was going to send him away. To a mental asylum in Nova Scotia, thousands of miles from here. The paper work was finished. They were very shoddy with their background checks. I was going to send him away for good."

This time there was no shocked gasp from the crowd. Everyone was dead silent with eyes wide and jaws hanging open.

I couldn't believe it.

I couldn't believe that he was planning to send Harry away!

And I couldn't believe that he actually admitted it!

Harry's face was like paste as his lips trembled. I moved as close to him as I could and intertwined both hands with his.

"Your honor, I have no further questions," Klinefeld said.

The judge didn't dismiss Theodore just yet. "Mr. Blake, do you have anything you'd like to say before the attorneys deliver their closing arguments."

"All I can say is that I...." He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, looking as if he was becoming emotional. If I hadn't spent the past several months of my life discovering his lunacy, I might have been convinced. But I wasn't. "I never meant to hurt anyone. I just...I let everything get out of control. And I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry." I hoped the jury wouldn't believe that second-rate acting.

"Mr. Blake, you may return to your seat," the judge instructed. Theodore walked back to his seat looking very penitent and forlorn.

"Prosecution, we're ready for your closing arguments."

Nathan stood and began. "Ladies and gentlemen, what we have heard and witnessed has been testimony to a complicated case. But the bottom line is this: Theodore Michael Blake  has been ruled by nothing but greed, thinking only of himself and not the consequences of his actions. He blatantly lied to Anne Styles when she awoke from her coma in 1999, telling her that her dear infant son had perished in the crash that also claimed her husband's life. Then he proceeded to lie to Harry Styles for the next 18 years, telling him that his mother was dead. And for what reason? So that he could manipulate Harry and make it look like he wasn't fit to inherit or run the family company due to a make-believe disability. Because he wanted it all, the money, the house, the company, the respect, the reputation."

Nathan paced back and forth in front of the jury box, continuing his closing argument.

"When Mary Lemke crossed him, he simply got rid of her. I can't say whether Theodore truly loved Mary, but the fact that he slit her throat while she slept points to a premeditated murder. The decision to hide her body confirms it. As luck would have it, Theodore was able to hire a string of nannies to look after poor Harry, convincing them all that he was 'intellectually disabled'. It wasn't until Juliette McGill came along and questioned just about everything that all the others had taken for fact. And what did Theodore do? Again, he tried to get rid of her. He locked her away with Harry until he could decide how to get rid of her and how he could send Harry to a mental institution clear across the country. But Juliette McGill was strong and cunning and she fought back at every turn, until Theodore tried to kill her. It was only by the act of setting fire to the home in which she and Harry were trapped that they were able to escape.

"But even then, Harry and Juliette weren't safe. Theodore escaped from police custody after his arraignment hearing and hunted Harry and Juliette until he found them in a hotel room. Theodore cornered them, put a gun to Juliette's head and pulled the trigger. It was only by the hand of God that the gun jammed and Harry and Juliette were able to overpower him until the police arrived.

"Theodore Michael Blake is guilty of every single crime charged against him here today. If we let him walk, he will just continue his reign of coercion, intimidation, and murder. He is a cold-blooded killer. I beg you to pay heed to the words shared by those who have testified against him, and if you do so, you will undoubtedly agree that this man is guilty. Thank you."

"Defense, please deliver your closing arguments," Judge Stoneridge directed.

Samuel Klinefeld stood and took a deep breath. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Theodore Michael Blake was adopted by William Blake as a small child, raised at William's hip, learning the ins and outs of his father's successful company. Imagine the betrayal he felt when William decided to change the terms of his will to leave the entire company and family fortune to Harry instead of him. People do strange things when they have been wronged, when they have been hurt, when they have been forsaken.

"Theodore was still dealing with his bitterness about his inheritance when he faced the sudden trauma and grief of losing his father. He struggled to keep the business running and with Anne in a coma, he had to think about raising a baby. You heard him; if he could go back and change his actions, he would. But he was a prisoner to his intense emotions.

"The final blow was when the woman Theodore loved turned against him. His heart had been broken again and again and this time, he didn't think when he killed Mary. It was a crime of passion, pure and simple. He didn't think before he did it but he was merely driven by anger and heartache.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Theodore Blake has owned up to his mistakes. He understands there are consequences. But instead of branding him a heartless, cold-blooded killer, look at all he has suffered throughout his life. Please consider this closely in your decision. Thank you."

Then began the jury's deliberation. Nathan told us that it could sometimes take days. We waited patiently for the first hour, but then we started getting fidgety. I couldn't imagine waiting for days in these hard seats, wondering what would happen in the end. Luckily at about two and a half hours, the jury silently returned to their seats while the jury foreman remained standing.

"Your honor, we've reached a decision."

"Continue," the judge instructed.

Samuel Klinefeld and Theodore stood to hear the reading of the verdict.

The jury foreman faced the judge as he read, "We the jury have come to the following conclusions. Of the charge of criminal child neglect, we find the defendant not guilty. Illegal possession and distribution of prescription drugs, not guilty. Of all charges of forcible confinement, we find the defendant guilty. Falsifying legal documents, guilty. Failure to educate a minor, guilty. Child endangerment through use of prescriptions drugs, guilty. Assault and battery, guilty. Sexual harassment, guilty. Numerous counts of coercion, guilty. All charges of theft and withholding wages, guilty."

The jury foreman paused before continuing, turning towards Theodore and apparently wanting the news to sink into his brain. With each guilty spoken, Theodore's face had lost more color. It was clear that he had already accepted his fate. But he stood up straight and kept his head high.

The foreman continued, once again facing Judge Stoneridge. "Of the several counts of attempted murder, we find the defendant guilty. Of the accessory to murder charge, we find the defendant guilty."

Then, he turned to look Theodore Blake in the eye as he read the final decision. "For the charge of murder in the first degree, for the cold-blooded killing of Mary Lemke, we find the defendant...guilty." Theodore's shoulders slumped with the final words but remained standing.

We jumped out of our seats and cheered, hugging each other and congratulating each other.

Judge Stoneridge called us back to order and told Theodore to come forward. "Theodore Michael Blake, you will receive your $5 million from the estate, as promised to you in your father's will. However, you are hereby ordered to pay Anne Styles Blake the amount of $5 million in damages. You are ordered to pay $1 million to Harry Styles. And to Juliette McGill, you are ordered to pay Juliette McGill $118,000 in wages for the entire year of service in the contract that you insisted Ms. McGill adhere to. You are stripped of any ownership of Blake Enterprises or the property located at 17529 Hillsong Drive in Victoria. Any wealth, financial or otherwise, will be closely investigated over the coming years to determine which belonged to you prior to your father's death, and which came from his company's profit."

Theodore stood stock still and continued to listen, knowing the worst was yet to come.

Judge Stoneridge continued, "As you must know by now, Mr. Blake, money doesn't buy happiness; neither does the taking away of money take away happiness and freedom. So your financial penalty is just the beginning. Theodore Michael Blake, you are hereby sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole." He pounded his gavel and we cheered. When we quieted down, the judge continued, "If I even catch the slightest rumor of you contacting anyone on the outside to do your dirty work, you will receive an even greater penalty, solitary confinement. For much longer than 24 hours."

We continued to cheer, to cry and to laugh because of our overwhelming relief.

The judge called us back to order one more time and said, "You may all be seated." Theodore took his seat next to his attorney as well. "Before the court is adjourned, I will allow two people to give some final thoughts. First, I've asked Anne Styles to come forward and read from her journal, from the year Harry Styles turned five."

Anne stepped forward, full of grace and dignity. She didn't even look at Theodore as she unfolded a piece of paper and began reading. "February 1, 2002. My dearest Harry. You would have been five years old today. I hope you know that not a single day has gone by when I haven't thought of you, not even a single moment. You were my darling little boy with your bouncy curls and your eyes the color of sweet peas; you brought light to my life every day. It's hard to believe I'll never see your darling face again, except maybe one day when we meet, after this world is over.

"I walk by the primary school every day on my way to work and I imagine you, my little boy all grown up and ready for his first day. I can see your face, a little older, a little more defined, with that irrepressible grin that seemed to consume your entire face. You'd be wearing a white shirt and a tiny little tie, heading off to your primary years while your mum looked on fondly.

"Instead, I only have my imagination, my dear Harry. I imagine you would have made friends the moment you walked in the door. You would have been popular among your peers and so well-loved because you had such a tender and sweet heart. I never saw your terrible two's or your grumpy threes, but I imagine you still would have grown to be a beautiful boy and a wonderful young man. You would have taken this world by storm, but instead you were taken too soon.

"My darling Harry, wherever you are and whenever I get to see you again, I just want you to know how very much I love you and how very proud I am that you were my son, even for such a short time. I love you, Mummy."

Not a single eye was dry in the courtroom. Except maybe Theodore's. He sat and looked unmoved, as always while the rest of us wiped away our emotional tears. I just hoped that somewhere inside of him, something was stirring, some level of remorse that would cause him to really grieve over his actions as he sat in that cold prison cell for the rest of his life.

"Finally," Judge Stoneridge said, "I've invited Harry Styles to come forward and express some final thoughts before Theodore leaves the courtroom."

Harry stood proudly and faced Theodore. "Theodore, I'm not even sure where to start," he said. "Maybe you expect me to just tell you how much I hate you for ruining my life.  How I could never forgive you for the fact that I sat for years  in a drug-induced daze and endured your ridicule and  your mind control. I could certainly tell you how angry I am that you completely robbed me of my own childhood and that you robbed my mother of her son, and you stole our best years together." Harry's voice started to lose its evenness, rising with emotion. He gritted his teeth together to maintain his control. "I could tell you that Mary was the only person who treated me with dignity and love during those first very important formative years after you sent my mum away. It's only because of her that I had any sense of right and wrong at all. And it's only because of her that I had any foundation of self-esteem and knew that I was worthy of love and respect because, you see, I've learned many things about myself in the past few months; things you never bothered to teach me, but things my wonderful wife-to-be has patiently taught me. I've learned that those first years of childhood are the most critical and most impressionable, and that it was only because of my mother and Mary Lemke that I received what I needed to become the man I am today." He steadied himself again as he appeared to be trembling with rage on this inside and only letting us see bits and pieces of it by letting it bubble out through his calculated speech.

"I cringe to think what I would have become if I hadn't had those crucial years of love and joy and respect." He shook his head. "I fear I would have become like you," he whispered loudly, harshly. "Cold, bitter, and incapable of love."

Harry began walking towards Theodore and a bailiff met him halfway, clearly allowing him to approach Theodore but still using caution. Once he reached Theodore, who was still seated, Harry continued, "I can't tell you how many times I wished you were dead and how much it hurt every time you called me stupid or said I was a retard. I cried myself to sleep hundreds of times over the years because I knew something just wasn't right with me. But I honestly think that if I dwell on the misery you've inflicted upon me and upon the others, you will just continue to get some sick enjoyment out of it. Maybe you expect me to have some seething hatred for you and want to kill you where you stand. I admit, the thought has crossed my mind many times over the past few months." Harry leaned intimidatingly over Theodore  as he spoke, and the older man rose to meet his gaze, with the bailiff standing very much at the ready if Harry lost control. But I knew he wouldn't.

Harry's voice changed, from full of suppressed rage to a simply confident and somewhat defiant tone.  "All I want now is to simply show you that I am the bigger man." And he was indeed bigger than Theodore; I'd never noticed that he was a few inches taller. "I'm satisfied that you are getting what's coming to you. For all your scheming and manipulating and lying, you are getting what you deserve. You will finally be the one behind bars while I've been freed from my prison at last. I hope that you grow old with the knowledge that, for all your well-devised plans, you still failed. Instead of making me suffer for my entire life, you brought the woman I love into my life. And because of your blunders, my mother and I are now reunited. And my mother has found love again. So all I have to say now, Theodore, is thank you." Theodore flinched slightly, not expecting those of all words to come out of Harry's mouth. "Thank you for finally making things work out for me. I won't forgive you for what you've taken from me. But I will understand that you, for all your efforts to keep me oppressed and under your delusional control, you failed. And now I'm finally free."

Harry stood straight and Theodore fell into his seat as if Harry's words had pushed him back. The crowd broke out in applause, which may not have even been appropriate for a courtroom, but the judge didn't stop it. Harry returned to us where we received him with hugs and kisses.

Once the noise died down, Judge Stoneridge directed, "Bailiff, please escort Mr. Blake from the courtroom." After he was gone, he spoke again, saying, "This session of court is adjourned."