CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Immediately Prisca and Anna burst into tears, causing me to weep also.

Mr. Joe with a teary-eyed reply, “Elah, we will not abandon you. We will find a way, I promise.”

With a forced smile I said, “You've done enough, Mr. Joe. Please, take care of David and let him know I love him.”

As they left the station, their steps faded, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I could not bear the thought of dragging them into my web despair.

The tears that welled up in my eyes betrayed the strength I had tried so hard to maintain.

The battle for justice had taken an unanticipated turn, leaving me to grapple with the consequences of my acts.

The air in the courtroom was thick with pressure as we waited for the Judge to deliver the verdict on my case.

Mr. Joe, the twins, Gabriel, and I stood there, a dimmed tableau of anxiety.

Lima, my colleague from Ethan's company, was also present, but her countenance was different from the rest of us.

She seems to carry a heavy burden, her eyes swolle