Blake's stomach twisted into knots as he was led into the courthouse tunnel and toward the courtroom where his fate would be decided. His hands were cuffed behind his back and he shuffled forward in a line with other defendants. Though he had faith in Rose working to prove his innocence, Blake couldn't stop his mind from racing with worst-case scenarios. What if there was no evidence to clear his name? What if he was wrongly convicted and spent years, or even his whole life, behind bars?
As they entered the courtroom, Blake scanned the gallery seating and spotted Rose sitting rigidly upright in the front row. Her face was set in stern determination when their eyes met. She gave a subtle nod of encouragement before Blake was ushered into the defense table area. There were already three people seated there - Blake assumed they were his legal team.
