The day of the court hearing arrived quickly.
I sat early in the plaintiff's seat. Worried that the stress might affect grandpa's fragile health, I chose not to bring him along. I would simply wait and bring him good news afterward.
When Isabelle was led into the courtroom, I barely recognized her. She looked years older, her face gaunt and drained of all spirit.
The moment she spotted me, she nearly lunged straight out of her seat. "Please withdraw the charges! There must be another way to settle this!"
Fear had finally sunk in. For days now, Linus had not once come to visit her, leaving her trapped in a state of constant, agonizing anxiety.
Bailiffs quickly stepped in and held her back before she could come anywhere near me.
Linus was present as well, sitting among the onlookers.
