The Weight of One Word

Valerie’s POV

The room was colder than the last time. Or maybe it was just me. My hands were cuffed again. Wrists were raw from how long they’d been pressed in metal. I could hear the buzz of whispers in the courtroom. People staring. Press and strangers. Some leaning forward like this was a show.

Joan was beside me, her head down. She didn’t say a word. Her hands folded on the table in front of u