The courthouse smelled of paper, sweat, and judgment.
Clara sat alone at the defendants’ table, dressed in her old uniform—the only « proper » garment she owned. Her new lawyer, Emily, fresh out of college, looked determined but nervous.
Opposite them, the Hamiltons — Adam stiff, Margaret poised, her pearls shining in the light.
The prosecutor portrayed Clara as a calculating servant who had gained the family’s trust only to betray it out of greed.
« She lived amidst luxury, » he thundered. « Temptation was only a matter of time. »
Murmurs rippled through the room.
Clara’s eyes stung her, but she kept her head high.
When her turn came, she stood up — frail but unwavering.
« I never stole anything, » she said softly. « The Hamiltons were my family. I loved that child like my own. »
His words remained suspended, naked and trembling.
The judge nodded gravely — but the room remained cold.
Until a small voice crossed her.
# The boy who tells the truth
» Wait ! «
The doors slammed. Ethan appeared, out of breath, his tutor behind him.
« Ethan! » exclaimed Adam, but the boy broke away and walked straight towards Clara.
Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he pointed at his grandmother.
« It wasn’t her! Clara didn’t take anything! »
A stunned silence fell.
Margaret’s face fell. « Ethan, stop this nonsense— »
But the boy’s voice rose again.
« I saw you, Grandma! You had the brooch! You said, ‘Clara will be an easy target.’ You hid it in your golden box! »
Exclamations rippled through the room. Even Adam remained frozen, his mouth slightly open.
The judge leaned forward. « Son, are you certain? »
Ethan nodded, his voice trembling but steady. « She’s in her office. The drawer with the little lion-shaped key. »
Emily jumped to her feet. « Your Honor, we request a search warrant immediately. »
A few minutes later, two officers left the room. The air vibrated with tension. Margaret remained motionless, clutching her pearl necklace so tightly it threatened to break.
When the agents returned, they were carrying a golden box — and, inside, the missing brooch.
The room exploded.
# The truth laid bare
Margaret’s lies crumbled like dust. The judge’s voice was firm and final.
« This court declares the defendant, Clara Wells, not guilty. »
Applause erupted. Clara buried her face in her trembling hands.
Ethan threw himself into her arms, crying so hard that she lost her breath.
« You are my true heart, Clara, » he whispered. « You always have been. »
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