“Court adjourned until Friday.”

The gavel struck, echoing through the hall like a gunshot.

Alexa exhaled, her hands trembling as she gathered her papers. The whispers, the flashes, the judgmental eyes… it was suffocating.

Roman leaned close. “Keep your chin up. They feed on weakness.”

“I’m not weak,” Alexa muttered, forcing herself to stand. Her eyes flicked instinctively toward James across the aisle. He was already staring at her, defiance blazing in his gaze as Ricardo ...