Esme's face fell, her expression clouded with uncertainty. "I don't know – Maybe Bruno will find those two men, and they'll tell the court what really happened that night. Maybe… maybe some miracle will happen." Her voice wavered with a hint of desperation.
Seeing the weight of disappointment in her, Joseph felt a deep ache in his chest. He couldn't bear to see her so disheartened. "Don't lose hope. You still have us. We're not giving up. We'll keep fighting, no matter what."
"Thank you." Esme managed a small, grateful smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Go back and get some rest," Joseph urged. "Don't stress yourself out over this."
Esme nodded slowly, her mind clearly elsewhere, as she got up from the chair and quietly exited the cabin, her steps heavy with the weight of uncertainty.
Later that night…
