Chapter 140

• Lily rushed into the courthouse, her heart pounding as she made her way through the bustling hallways. She could feel the weight of the world on her shoulders, the anxiety of being late gnawing at her. As she approached the courtroom, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.
• Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, she stepped inside and quickly scanned the room. The atmosphere was tense; everyone was already seated, and the judge’s bench loomed at the front. Her eyes landed on Nelson, who was standing beside Ethan, and her breath caught in her throat.
• Ethan’s face was bruised and swollen; she walked toward them. “What happened to you?” she blurted out, her voice rising in disbelief.