The courtroom stirred at the ruling, its impact rippling outward. Juniper felt a surge of triumph… then let herself look to Daniel.

Watching him wield his sword for her today… his tactical angles, his deliberate actions, the way he’d risen before she’d even needed him to… she was seeing a man who gave her more than just the touch. The realization settled somewhere warm and inconvenient.

But even as they savored this victory, they knew the road ahead remained uncertain. Roma’s attacks had grown more pointed, his arguments more layered. The jury, though moved, remained unpredictable.

As the trial recessed, Juniper and Daniel exchanged a look… determination edged with exhaustion. They had fought hard. It wasn’t over.

Juniper gathered her papers, her hands trembling as the adrenaline faded. She could feel the courtroom’s eyes on her. But as she turned to leave, a sound from behind stopped her.