Chapter 14
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The official notice arrived two days later via certified federal mail. It was a thick, formal packet from the State Parole Board, officially notifying me, as a primary victim of his financial crimes, that my father’s early release hearing had been scheduled. The document contained a form giving me the option to submit a written victim impact statement or to appear in person via a video link to address the board directly.
I brought the heavy packet to the clinic, my mind racing with a chaotic blend of anxiety and fierce determination. I sat in the breakroom during my lunch hour, staring at the government seal on the envelope.
Sarah walked in, popping the tab on a diet soda. She took one look at my tense posture and the official documents, and immediately pulled up a chair beside me.
"Is that about Emily?" Sarah asked gently, keeping her voice low.
"No," I replied, running my hand through my hair. "It’s my father. He is up for early parole. My mother sent a letter demanding I write a statement of support to help him get out. She thinks because two years have passed, I should just magically forgive him for stealing my identity and trying to ruin my life."
Sarah’s eyes flared with protective anger. "Are you kidding me? After everything you went through to put him away? What are you going to do?"
"I am not going to help him," I stated firmly, tapping the packet. "But I have to decide if I want to submit a statement opposing his release. If I do, it means stepping back into that world. It means opening up the files, outlining the trauma, and facing his lawyers again. Part of me just wants to ignore it and hope the board denies him on their own."
"Sophia, look at me," Sarah said, placing a warm hand on my arm. "You are not the same woman you were two years ago. You are a warrior. If you ignore this, and he gets out, you will always wonder if you could have stopped him. You have a voice now. A loud, undeniable voice. Use it."
May you like
I looked at Sarah, drawing strength from her fierce, unwavering support. She was right. Ignoring the monster wouldn't keep him locked in the dark. Shining a blinding light on him would.
"You're right," I nodded, a cold, absolute resolve settling into my bones. "I'm not just going to write a letter, Sarah. I am going to testify at the hearing. I am going to make absolutely sure that man serves every single day of his sentence."
