Three months in a cell had left me thinner. The tailored suits and custom cologne were gone, but I carried one belief into the witness box: Serena still loved me.
The evidence gave my lawyers very little to challenge. They told me to show the jury a desperate husband trying to save a child. I rehearsed until my voice broke in the right places.
“Did I make a mistake?” I asked. “A terrible, catastrophic mistake? Yes. Every decision came from wanting to save a life. I never intended for anyone to be harmed.”
Serena sat in the front row in a plain dark dress. She watched without changing expression. I stopped looking at the jury and spoke to her.
“I loved my wife. I loved our son. I still do.” My eyes watered. I left the tear on my cheek and looked directly at her.
Mr. Thorne rose. “The p
