(Caroline's POV)
The alarm goes off at 5:30 AM, but I'm already awake.
I've been lying here for the past hour, staring at the ceiling, listening to my own heartbeat. Counting the minutes until this day begins.
Trial day.
The day Helen and Samuel finally face justice.
The day this nightmare will finally end.
I turn off the alarm before it can wake Jason. But when I look over, his side of the bed is already empty. The sheets are cold.
I find him downstairs. Fully dressed in his court suit—navy blue, crisp white shirt, burgundy tie. He's standing at the kitchen window with a cup of coffee, staring out at nothing.
"You're up early," I say.
He doesn't turn around. "Couldn't sleep."
"Me neither."
I move to the coffee maker. Pour myself a cup. The silence between us feels heavy.
"Jaso
