Julian’s Defense
Chapter 11 - Julian’s Defense
Julian’s attorney called the fall an accident.
He claimed Lauren turned suddenly, slipped, and pulled away when Julian tried to help.
The bracelet audio damaged that story.
The dust on his sleeve damaged it further.
Then a balcony camera appeared.
Charles installed it months earlier to monitor staff using the upstairs terrace. The camera was hidden inside a decorative light fixture.
He forgot it existed.
The footage showed Lauren reaching for the door.
It showed Julian blocking her.
It showed both hands pushing against her shoulder.
It showed her catch the railing.
And it showed him remove her fingers.
There was no confusion left.
Julian changed his defense.
He said fear overwhelmed him.
He claimed Lauren threatened to destroy his family.
Lauren watched the footage once.
She did not watch it again.
She had spent weeks wondering whether pain and concussion altered her memory.
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The video gave her certainty.
It did not require her to live inside the fall forever.
