“She recorded us illegally. None of this counts.”
The judge stared at him.
“Your daughter recorded an assault inside her own home.”
A deputy moved closer.
Nora handed the clerk a sealed drive.
“Your Honor, the recording also shows who delivered the forged documents to the notary.”
The clerk rolled a monitor into place.
The first frame showed my father in my living room, his hand already raised.
Nobody in the courtroom moved.
Then the video continued.
My father’s palm struck my face. My body staggered against the bookcase. Owen’s photograph fell to the floor.
For a moment, I could hear nothing except the sound of my own heartbeat.
Then my father’s voice came through the speakers.
“You made me do that.”
The judge paused the recording.
“Mr. Donnelly, is that you in this video?”
My father swallowed.
“It was a family disagreement. She was being disrespectful.”
