Two Days Later, Fairfax County Circuit Court

  The courtroom was a stark contrast to the gloom of Wendy May’s detention cell. The high ceilings and polished wood panels exuded an air of solemnity, while the faint hum of fluorescent lights underscored the weight of the proceedings.

  Wendy sat at the defense table, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her face pale but composed. She wore a standard-issue jumpsuit, the coarse fabric a constant reminder that she had been in custody since her arrest. The shackles around her ankles rattled softly as she shifted in her seat, and the cuffs around her wrists pressed against her skin, symbols of her predicament rather than actual restraints.

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  Beside her, her attorney, Robert Hargrove, adjusted his tie and glanced at the stack of documents in front of him. His calm demeanor was a small comfort, but Wendy couldn’t shake the knot of dread tightening in her chest.

  Across the aisle, the prosecutor, Magdalene Bennett, sat with her hands folded neatly on the table. Her sharp gaze scanned the room, her expression impenetrable. Wendy had heard stories about Bennett—ruthless, meticulous, and unyielding. She was the kind of prosecutor who rarely lost, and Wendy knew she was in for the fight of her life.

  In the gallery, seated in the front row, was...

  This is a snippet of the chapter. To see what happens next and unravel the mystery, you can:

  ? Purchase chapter bundles on my Patreon:

  ? Get the complete book on my reading platform: