With a deliberate pause, he reached for a document in front of him. The room seemed to hold its breath as he unfolded the paper, each rustle echoing like a drumbeat. “This, Mrs. Daniels, is a letter from Marcus’s late grandmother.”

Marcus’s eyes widened in surprise. He had no idea the letter existed, let alone that it would be read today. Daniela’s dismissive demeanor wavered slightly, curiosity piqued despite herself.

The judge began to read aloud: