No speech. No drama.
Just truth.
In the hallway after, Grandpa Harold waited by a window.
He looked older than at Thanksgiving, but his eyes were steady.
“I’m proud of you,” he said.
“Thank you,” I whispered, and meant it.
Behind us, Melody’s sobs echoed as Derek confronted her. I didn’t turn around.
Some breakages aren’t mine to witness.
I left the courthouse with Marcus beside me and sunlight on my face that felt almost unfamiliar.
Not because everything was fixed.
But because the lie had finally collapsed.
