Zina's POV
I stormed out of the courtroom the moment the judge adjourned the session, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. My chest heaved, and my palms were damp despite the crisp, cool air conditioning. Jared's words echoed in my head, refusing to quiet down.
I love her.
I couldn't unhear it. I couldn't pretend those three words hadn't rattled something deep inside me—something I wasn't ready to face.
Jared had said it so confidently, so boldly, right in front of everyone. The courtroom had gone deathly silent after his confession, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a thundercloud. Even now, as I strode down the hallway, my heart pounded, a frantic rhythm I couldn't calm.
"Zina, wait!" Jared's voice carried after me, firm and unyielding.
But I didn't stop. I couldn't. I needed to get away—to breathe.
