Amelia had never heard silence ring this loudly. It pressed against her ears in the narrow office, heavier than all the whispers that had chased her through the corridors that morning. Every hallway had seemed to hum with her name, every glance had carried the weight of what they thought they knew.
She could read their Judgement on their faces, in their eyes. She wasn't sure what their Judgement was but she was sure many was not Favourable. They had already condemned her before they knew the whole truth. And others? Well, they may be hesitating, not yet decided whether or not she was guilty and should be condemned.
But here, with the door closed, it was just the two of them. Julian sat behind his desk as if it could shield him, his posture taut, knuckles white where they gripped the arm
