Rebecca moved to another message.
This one had been sent by Nathan to Melissa two days after Grace left.
It read:
If anyone asks, she slipped in the kitchen. Don’t let her turn a private argument into something that ruins this family.
Melissa’s face changed.
Richard rose.
“Your Honor, we object to any implication that this communication proves the alleged assault.”
“The court will determine what weight to give it,” Judge Collins replied. “The witness may answer the question.”
Rebecca looked at Melissa.
“Did your brother ask you to describe the incident as an accident?”
Melissa stared at the message.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she looked toward Nathan.
He was shaking his head at her.
“Melissa,” he said sharply, “don’t.”
Judge Collins immediately intervened.
“Mr. Miller, do not address the witness. Your lawyer may advise you, but you will not interfere with her testimony.”
Melissa’s lips trembled.
She looked back at Rebecca.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Please speak clearly for the record.”
Melissa swallowed.
“Yes. He asked me to say she slipped in the kitchen.”
The courtroom erupted in whispers.
Nathan turned toward his sister.
“You know what I meant!”
Melissa flinched.
Judge Collins struck the desk with her gavel.
“Order.”
The room quieted.
Rebecca asked one final question.
“Why did you agree to provide a statement supporting your brother?”
Melissa looked down at her hands.
“Because he told me Grace was trying to destroy him. I thought I was protecting my family.”
Her voice broke.
“But when I read that message again, I realized he wasn’t asking me to tell the truth. He was asking me to repeat his version of it.”
Grace watched Melissa wipe her eyes.
She had not expected the woman to admit anything.
For the first time, someone from Nathan’s own family had acknowledged that his version of events might not be the truth.
