I barely slept the night before. I don’t think i even closed my eyes, just laid there, staring at the ceiling while the hum of the fridge and the ticking of the wall clock took turns in mocking me.
Every second dragged like it was trying to suffocate me. At 4:16 a.m, I got out of bed and took a shower. Hot water. Too hot.
I let it burn my skin just to feel something different from panic. The pain helped somehow, it reminded me that I was still here, still fighting.
By the time the sun rose, I’d already ironed my clothes, reviewed my statements and packed Mera’s lunch twice and she didn’t even have school today.
Habit.
Survival.
When I stepped out of the elevator into the courthouse lobby, the air felt different. It was heavier than last time, tighter, like the walls were holding their last breath.
Reeves was waiting for me near the metal detectors, suit perfect, hair slicked back, eyes scanning the room like a sniper.
“You ready,” he asked.
I nodded, even though the answer was no.
H
