Chapter 55 – The First Verdict
The courtroom smelled like old wood and sweat. The kind of smell that clings to history and fear.
Every seat was full. The air hummed with whispers, the low rustle of people who’d already decided what they wanted to hear before the judge ever opened his mouth. Reporters lined the back wall, their c...
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Chapters
1. Chapter One: The Fire
2. Chapter Two: The Body in the Creek
3. Chapter Three: Back for Her
4. Chapter Four: The Boy in Holding
5. Chapter Five: The Rich One
6. Chapter Six: You’re Still Him
7. 7. Courtroom Ghosts
8. 8. Two Cases, One Lawyer
9. 9. The Rules Here Are Different
10. 10. That Night Again
11. 11. No One Talks to Outsiders
12. 12. The Fire Was a Warning
13. 13. The Dead Boy’s Last Message
14. 14. The Lady at the Diner
15. 15. Town Without Guilt
16. 16. The Cresthaven Deal
17. 17. Matthew’s Journal
18. 18. She’s Starting to Ask
19. 19. The Burned Blueprints
20. 20. Small Town, Big Mask
21. 21. The Sermon That Lied
22. 22. The Whisper Tapes
23. 23. The Anonymous Letter
24. 24. Torn Between Two Fires
25. 25. The Old Trial
26. 26. The Brother’s Blood
27. Chapter 27. Don’t Dig Too Deep
28. 28. Who’s Protecting Who?
29. 29. Matthew’s Sister Talks
30. 30. The Mayor’s Dinner Party
31. 31. The Night of the Murder
32. 32. The Tapes Go Missing
33. 33. Eden’s First Panic
34. 34. Opening Statement
35. 35. The Eyewitness Cracks
36. 36. The Girl at the Tracks
37. 37. Noah’s Confession
38. 38. The Red Truck
39. 39. The Anonymous Witness
40. 40. Matthew’s Rage
41. Chapter 41. Who Lit the Fire?
42. Chapter 42. The Mayor’s Warning
43. Chapter 43. The Judge’s Past
44. Chapter 44. The Dead Priest
45. Chapter 45. The Deal on the Table
46. Chapter 46. Secrets in Eden’s Journal
47. Chapter 47. Courtroom Reversal
48. Chapter 48. The Man in the Photo
49. Chapter 49. Matthew’s Deal Gone
50. Chapter 50. Eden Disappears
51. 51. The Secret USB
52. Chapter 52. The Confession
53. 53. The Missing Witness
54. Chapter 54 – Eden’s Fury
55. Chapter 55 – The First Verdict
56. Chapter 56 – The Celebration That Wasn’t
57. Chapter 57 – Noah Refuses to Testify
58. Chapter 58 – The Journalist
59. Chapter 59 – Matthew Disappears
60. Chapter 60 – A Burning Cross
61. Chapter 61 – Tom Confesses (Half the Truth)
62. Chapter 62 – The Secret Case File
63. Chapter 63 – Eden Confronts Mason
64. Chapter 64 – The Surveillance Van
65. Chapter 65 – Noah’s Therapist Speaks
66. Chapter 66 – Matthew’s Phone Pings
67. Chapter 67 – The Unexpected Ally
68. Chapter 68 – Briar Ridge Was Built on Silence
69. Chapter 69 – The Tape That Breaks Her
70. Chapter 70 – Elijah’s Breakdown
71. Chapter 71 – The First Trial Twist
72. Chapter 72 – A Dead End—or a Beginning
73. Chapter 73 – The Old Woman’s Secret
74. Chapter 74 – Tom Crosses the Line
75. Chapter 75 – Noah Speaks at Last
76. Chapter 76 – The Cresthaven Revelation
77. Chapter 77 – The Preacher’s Widow
78. Chapter 78 – That Someone Was Tom
79. Chapter 79 – Mason Snaps
80. Chapter 80 – The Town Crumbles
81. Chapter 81 – Noah’s Mother Speaks
82. Chapter 82 – Eden’s Letter to Her Mother
83. Chapter 83 – Lila Goes Missing
84. Chapter 84 – Blood in the Basement
85. Chapter 85 – Elijah Breaks the Rules
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