Part 14
The courthouse was cold, smelling of old wood, wet umbrellas, and anxiety.
Robert met me at the entrance, his tailored suit immaculate, his expression completely unreadable.
"Are you ready?" he asked, adjusting his glasses.
"I’ve been ready for years," I replied.
We walked down the long corridor toward Family Court Room 402.
As we approached, I saw them sitting on the wooden benches outside.
Jason, his brother Julian, and their mother.
Jason looked terrible. His skin was sallow, his eyes bloodshot, and his suit looked loose, as if he had lost weight in a matter of days.
When his eyes met mine, a flash of pure, unadulterated hatred sparked within them.
But beneath the anger, I saw it.
The panic.
Julian looked away immediately, unable to face the woman whose life they had tried to dismantle.
Evelyn just glared, her jaw clenched so tightly I thought her teeth might crack.
"Don't look at them," Robert whispered, guiding me past them into the courtroom.
"They are ghosts, Elena. They just don't know they're dead yet."
We took our seats at the plaintiff's table.
A few minutes later, Jason and his lawyer walked in, taking the opposite side.
His lawyer was a short, sweating man who kept shuffling a chaotic pile of papers.
The contrast between him and Robert was almost comical.
The judge, a stern woman named Justice Mercer, entered, and the room fell completely silent.
"We are here today regarding the permanent custody of Lily Vance," the judge began, looking over her spectacles.
She looked at Jason's side, then at ours.
"I have reviewed the preliminary filings, and frankly, I am deeply concerned by the allegations presented here."
Jason leaned forward, trying to put on his old, charming smile.
"Your Honor, if I may—"
"You may not, Mr. Vance," the judge snapped, cutting him off instantly.
"Your attorney will speak for you when it is time. Right now, Mr. Robert, you have the floor."
May you like
Robert stood up, smoothing his jacket.
The execution was about to begin.
