The courtroom buzzed with muted murmurs as Catalina sat rigidly in her chair, her eyes darting from her lawyer to the judge's bench. The once powerful and poised Catalina now wore an air of desperation, her perfectly styled appearance replaced by the bland uniform of a detainee. Her lawyer sat beside her, his face stoic, but Catalina could sense his unease.
"All rise," the bailiff announced, and the room stood as the judge entered.
Cristine and Andrei sat in the gallery, their expressions unreadable. Cristine's hands trembled as she clutched Andrei's, her emotions a swirling mix of sadness, guilt, and relief. She knew this moment would change everything, and though she had come to terms with her mother's betrayal, it didn't erase the sting of watching her downfall.
As the judge began re
