Julian worked on formatting the video files, while Samuel compiled the legal briefs.

I held my baby, watching the rain slowly stop outside.

The sky turned a pale, cold grey as the sun began to rise over the mountains.

At seven in the morning, we drove to the Denver County Courthouse.

The air was freezing, and the pavement was wet.

People in business suits were already walking up the stone steps.

I saw Margaret Lawson’s silver town car pull up to the curb.

The driver opened the door, and Margaret stepped out.

She wore a dark wool coat and pearls, her face perfectly composed.

Beside her, Olivia Grant got out of the car, looking pale and nervous.

They didn’t see us as they walked toward the entrance.

A moment later, another car arrived.

Ethan got out.

He looked exhausted, his clothes slightly disheveled.

He had a bandage wrapped around his right hand, likely from the broken glass or the metal casing he had smashed.

He caught my eye as he walked toward the steps.

He gave me a cold, mocking smile.

He thought he had destroyed everything.