(Esther's Point of View)
I wondered why the courtroom felt colder than the street outside.
I stood still, my hand on the wooden rail, and the clerk's voice calling my name still echoed in the air. All the sounds seemed louder than they should have been. Shoes making noise on the floor. A cough came from the back row. The benches creaked slowly as people moved to get a better look at me.
This was it.
The most terrible hour.
I looked up and saw Matthew. He sat between two officers with his hands folded and his back straight. He seemed calm, but I knew him well. I could see that his jaw was tight. His eyes looked for mine like he needed to know I was still there.
I nodded once.
Not a promise. Only the truth.
I sat down and put my hands on the table in front of me. I didn't hide it; I
