**An Unexpected Turn**
«Your Honour, I withdraw my financial claim against the defendant,» Thomas said quietly. A murmur of confusion rippled through the courtroom.
The judge, whod seen it all, raised an eyebrow.
«Mr. Thompson, you do realise this wont affect the verdict but will forfeit your right to compensation?»
«I do.»
Katherinethough young, her colleagues addressed her formally as Miss Bennettcontinued typing, utterly detached. Five years in this job had numbed her to human pettiness. She saw herself as a train conductor, hauling carriages filled with other peoples tragedies.
The case against Lucy W. was the kind the press loveda con artist whod swindled four men on dating sites without ever meeting them. One sob story after another: a car crash, a bitter divorce, a sick child.
«Nothing new here,» Katherine thought as she prepped the files. Four grown men, convinced they could rescue a damsel in distress with cash. Instead, theyd been texting a married mother of three.
Now, they sat in courtthree seething with rage, demanding repayment. Thomas Thompson kept his distance, calm and composed. When he waived his claim, the room fell silent. One victim spun around, incredulous:
«Are you mad? She played you like the rest of us! Probably bought her husband a phone with your money!»
Thomas met his gaze with quiet sadness. «I get it. But shes got three kids. Let the money stay with them. I dont need it back.»
Katherine looked up, startled. Generosity was rare in these walls. His handsa welders, rough but steadyrested on his knees. His eyes held no bitterness. In a world where everyone fought for scraps, hed simply let go.
After the hearing, a lawyer scoffed, «What a romantic fool.»
Usually silent, Katherine countered, «Thats not foolishness. Thats strength. The kind money cant buy.»
The room fell quiet. Even she was surprised by her words.
Over the next few sessions, she caught herself watching himhow intently he listened, how his gaze drifted to the window as if searching the grey sky for answers only he cared about.
On the final day, he lingered in the hallway, lost. Katherine stepped out.
«Need directions?» she asked, all business.
«Just a bit turned around.»
«Exits that way.»
He nodded but paused when she called after him.
«Thomas?» He turned, surprised.
«You were right,» she said, her voice wavering slightly. «About the kids. It was decent of you.»
He studied her. «You know, Katherine» He hesitated.
«Kate,» she offered.
«Kate. Kindness is rare inside these walls. Thanks for noticing.»
He left. She watched him go, feeling something long dormant stir in her chest.
Then came the raina downpour just as Thomas stepped outside. He hesitated under the awning.
A voice behind him: «Weve got a government-issue umbrella. Meant for files, but I think it can cover a decent man.»
It was Kate, holding a large black umbrella. There was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, as if she couldnt believe herself.
«Dont want to hold you up,» he said.
«My shifts over. Im walking to the park. If youre headed that way»
They shared the umbrella, careful not to brush shoulders. The silence was easy.
«You always defend victims like that?» he finally asked.
«Never,» she admitted. «Youre the first who chose illogic. It got to me.»
«Probably daft of me.»
«Its rare. Rare things matter.»
At the park, the rain softened to a drizzle.
«Fancy a walk?» he asked. «If youve got time.»
She hesitatedjust a second. *»Protocol breached, Miss Bennett,»* she thoughtbut nodded.
Thomas stared at the clearing sky. «This doesnt usually happen. People think Im odd.»
«Because you didnt turn bitter,» she said quietly. «These days, thats practically eccentric.»
He met her eyes. «And you? Do I seem eccentric?»
«I think youre real. Thats priceless. In my line of work, real is scarce.»
He exhaled. «Want to know why? Why I fell for her lies?»
She nodded.
«It startedand endedin school. Her name was Lily. What I felt wasnt just love. She was everything. We were *that* coupleprom, carrying her books, the whole fairy tale. I was certain itd last forever. Then she left for uni in London, married a classmate, and sent me a postcard. Just three words: *Sorry. Its better.*»
He fell quiet, lost in memory. «After that, I just shut down. Became a welderhid behind the mask, the noise. Built walls. But inside, I was still that boy who believed in one love for life.»
His voice steadied. «Then I saw *her* photothe con artist. She looked like Lily. Her profile said, *Still believe in love.* Stupid, right? But I messaged her. And she wrote back all the things Id waited years to hearabout forever, loyalty, something real. I wasnt buying *her* lies. I was buying the ghost of my own dream.»
He glanced at Kate, bracing for judgment. Instead, she covered his hand with herswarm, firm.
«Thank you for telling me,» she whispered. «Youre not odd. Youre just true.»
***
At work, Kate was known for her steel composureuntil Thomas started meeting her after hours. Colleagues whispered.
Judge Margaret, a woman whose glare could freeze criminals, broke the silence first: «Well, Miss Bennetts full of surprises. I thought she had a filing cabinet for a heart. Now shes courting a victima romantic, no less.»
Her younger colleague, Ian, smirked. «With his naivety, hes more like a defendant for chronic gullibility. Is she reforming him?»
«Enough cynicism,» Margaret chided, though she smiled. «Mans a hard worker. And what he did took principles over pounds. Rare around here.»
In the break room, a regular lawyer, Steven, shook his head. «Never expected a courtroom love story. Feels like a telly drama.»
Kate changed. Still professional, but softersmiling at her phone, wearing a delicate silver chain. The office split: the men joked about «saving hopeless romantics,» while the younger women sighed over the «wounded-but-kind» trope.
The tipping point came when Thomas dropped her off one morningopening her car door, adjusting her coat collar with such tenderness that the onlookers doubts vanished.
That day, Margaret pulled her aside. «Kate hes good. I can tell. Hold onto him.»
Kate simply nodded. «I know.»
The gossip faded. Colleagues understood: their unflappable secretary, keeper of order and paperwork, had issued herself a verdict*»Pardoned. To love. To be happy.»*
And it wasnt up for appeal.
