27. A surprising discovery

Tobias Bernstorff

From the home office, I observe the sunset through the large glass windows, trying to assimilate the information from the document I just read. Every word printed on the summons seems to echo in my ears, increasing the tension that already pervades the environment.

You are hereby summoned to appear in court on the twenty-eighth of December, two thousand and twenty-one...

In two weeks.

A chill runs down my spine, and my hands sweat cold as I hold the official note. I truly thought she wouldn't do this, that it was just nerves talking, and that when she calmed down, she would think better. But now reality stands before me, relentless and cruel.

I sit again, thoughts swirling, while I analyze the summons with tired eyes. I take a deep breath, but the air feels scarce, compressing my chest in an agonizing tightness. I run my fingers through my unkempt beard, a visual proof of the negligence of the past few days, as I try to find a spark of hope amid so much uncertainty.