Three months later, in early winter, inside Courtroom Two of the county courthouse, the atmosphere was heavy and tense.
Eric was escorted into the courtroom by two court officers.
His head had been shaved. He wore an oversized, faded prison uniform. The polished, arrogant man who once loved showing off was gone. His face had become thin and gaunt, his cheekbones sharp and hollow.
Flora stood beside him. She was wearing the same prison uniform, keeping her head lowered, too afraid to look at anyone.
I sat in the front row of the gallery. My expression remained calm as I watched them.
Then Eric looked up. The moment his eyes met mine, his entire body froze.
He suddenly rushed toward the railing separating the defense table, desperately hitting it with his handcuffed wrists. The dull po
