“You’re a piece of work, Audrey. But why are you going after that old man? Why take it to court? It just brings unwanted attention. He was just some guy in a cabin.”
“You should have heard how he talked to me,” Audrey’s voice rang out clearly. “He wasn’t afraid of me. And Lily actually liked him. It made me sick. Let him rot in jail for a few years. He’s a loser anyway; that’s where he belongs.”
The courtroom went silent. Audrey turned pale, looking like she wanted to vanish. Then, Lily, who had been sitting quietly next to Martha, suddenly stood up and found her voice.
— “She’s a liar! She was mean to me!” she shouted, her voice trembling but clear.
The entire room gasped. Lily didn’t stop.
— “I ran away because I was scared of her! No one kidnapped me. I hid in the woods and got stuck in the water. That man saved me. He’s a good man!”
Lily pointed at Frank, and he broke down in tears, burying his face in his hands.
“In light of this evidence, I am dismissing all charges against Frank Sullivan immediately,” the judge declared, striking his gavel.
Martha rushed forward with Lily, and the three of them shared a tearful hug. Meanwhile, bailiffs approached Audrey and clicked handcuffs onto her wrists.
“I didn’t do anything! He’s a criminal!” she screamed, but no one was listening.
“You’re going away for a long time, Audrey,” Frank said as she was led out.
“Come on, Frank, let’s get you out of here,” Martha said. “I’ve got a big dinner waiting for you at the house. Lily, is it okay if Mr. Frank comes over?”
“Yes! Please!” Lily smiled, pulling on Frank’s hand.
Frank sat in the car, overwhelmed. He was free. He had been so close to losing everything again, but a little girl’s courage had saved him.
“Thank you, Lily,” Frank whispered. “You saved my life today.”
Just then, Martha’s phone rang. Her face changed instantly as she listened.
“Yes? Oh, thank God! We’re on our way! Driver, take us to the Medical Center on 5th and Main, now!”
“Lily, honey! Your daddy’s awake! He’s out of the coma!”
Lily let out a cry of joy and hugged Martha. Frank felt a wave of relief. Everything was finally going to be okay.
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