I remembered Elena placing coffee beside my desk every morning even though I had told her a hundred times she did not need to do it.
I remembered her laughing when I accused her of organizing my office so efficiently that I had become unnecessary.
I remembered promising to visit her after she left.
I never had.
When I opened my eyes again, Sophie was still standing beside me.
“She said you’d be busy,” Sophie said quietly. “She said you were always busy.”
There was no accusation in her voice.
Somehow, that made it harder.
Judge Carter asked the clerk to receive the envelope.
Daniel objected.
His attorney rose beside him.
“Your Honor, without authentication—”
“I am not admitting anything into evidence yet,” Judge Carter said. “I am determining whether this court should continue with a decision today.”
That silenced the room.
The clerk carried the envelope forward.
Judge Carter examined it.
