The morning after the verdict felt like waking up in a new country—same streets, same sky, but everything humming with a different rhythm. No more hidden files. No more calls at midnight. No more courtrooms looming like execution chambers.

I woke up to Zaya’s giggles.

She was on the bed between Adrian and me, her tiny hands clapping against the blanket.

Adrian smiled before opening his eyes.

“She’s louder than the sun.”

“She’s lighter too,” I whispered, kissing her ...