238
~Bella's POV
The moment I stepped into the courtroom, a strange chill wrapped itself around me.
Not from the air conditioning, it was the weight of it. The history. The pain. The pressure. The kind of heavy silence that clings to places where justice is supposed to be served, but sometimes isn't.
Everything felt too bright. Too polished. The wooden benches, the gleaming floors, and the high ceiling made me feel small. People were already seated, some curious, some detached, most unfamiliar. At the front, the judge's bench loomed high, intimidating. The judge sat already, stern and unreadable. And this time, the jury box wasn't empty like before.
Twelve people. Twelve strangers who would decide the fate of my brother.
