Hearing a Heart-Stopping Answer

Olive’s heart pounded because the room’s attention felt like it was suffocating her. She couldn’t bring herself to meet their eyes, so she stared down at her hands, taking a deep breath. Then, she spoke one word that cut through the silence: “No.”

The word echoed in the courtroom, sending a ripple of shock through everyone. Whispers spread like wildfire, and gasps of disbelief filled the air. Ana and Owen exchanged a look of utter surprise, their minds racing. No one had expected this, and now, all eyes were on Olive, waiting for her to explain the answer that had just changed everything.