The judge leans back slowly.
Processing.
Seeing it.
All of it.
“This court finds sufficient cause to vacate the original conviction,” he says.
The words hit like a wave.
Gasps.
Voices.
Movement.
“Unfortunately, this young woman served six years in prison for something she didn’t do. We can’t change that, but what we can change is that I ordered a full investigation into the conduct surrounding this case.”
Everything breaks loose.
Reporters shouting.
People standing.
Chaos.
But I don’t move.
I just stand there.
Because for a second—
I can’t.
“I didn’t do it,” I whisper
Ace’s hand finds mine.
Tight.
Steady.
“I know,” he says.
And this time—
Everyone else does too.
29
Tessa
Ididn’t expect the quiet to feel like this.
Not empty.
Not heavy.
