**A Remarkable Case**
«Your Honour, I withdraw my claim for compensation,» Thomas said quietly. A murmur of confusion rippled through the courtroom.
The judge, used to all manner of things, raised an eyebrow.
«Mr. Thompson, you understand this wont affect the verdict but means you wont recover your losses?»
«I do.»
Katherineyes, despite her youth, thats what her colleagues called herkept typing without a flicker of emotion. Five years in this job had hardened her to human greed and folly. She saw herself as the driver of a train, endlessly carrying other peoples tragedies.
The case against Lucy W. was the kind the press lovedanother con artist tricking lonely men on dating sites. Four men, none of whom had ever met her, had sent her large sums. One sob story about a car crash, another about a bitter divorce, a third about a sick child…
«Nothing new here,» Katherine thought as she prepped the files. Four grown men, seemingly successful, played the knight in shining armour, believing money could buy them love. Instead, theyd been messaging a married mother of three.
Now they were all herethe defendant, the victims. Three of them were tight-lipped, furious, demanding repayment, their words dripping with venom. Then there was Thomas Thompson, sitting slightly apart. No anger, no pity. When he said he didnt want his money back, the room fell silent.
One of the men spun around. «Have you lost your mind? She played you for a fool! Your money probably bought her husband a phone!»
Thomas looked at him with quiet sadness. «Shes got three kids. Let them have it. I dont need it back.»
Katherine glanced up, surprised. Generosity was rare in court. She studied his handsrough from welding work, resting calmly on his kneesand his eyes, kind despite everything. In a world where everyone fights for themselves, hed simply let go.
After the hearing, a lawyer shook his head. «Hopeless romantic, that one. Naïve as a child.»
Usually silent, Katherine replied, «Not naïve. Strong. The kind of strength money cant buy.»
Everyone turned. «Iron Kate» never spoke like that. Even she was surprised.
Over the next few hearings, she caught herself watching himhow he listened without interrupting, how his gaze lingered on the window as if searching the grey sky for answers only he cared about.
On the final day, after sentencing, he lingered in the corridor, looking lost. Katherine stepped out.
«Need directions?» she asked in her usual detached tone.
«Just a bit turned around,» he smiled.
«Exits that way.»
He took a few steps before she called after him.
«Thomas?»
He turned, puzzled.
«You were right,» she said, her voice softening. «About the children. That was decent of you.»
He studied her. «People rarely choose kindness, Katherine. Thank you for noticing.»
As he left, she realised her long-dormant heart had just skipped a beat.
Then came the rain. A downpour just as Thomas stepped outside. He hesitated under the awning.
Behind him, Katherines voice: «Weve got an official umbrella. Meant for documents, but I think it can spare a decent man.»
She held out a large black umbrella, her expression uncertain, as if she couldnt believe her own boldness.
«I dont want to keep you,» he said.
«My shifts over. Im walking to the park. If youre heading that way…»
They walked side by side, careful not to touch. The silence was comfortable.
«You always defend victims like that?» he finally asked.
«Never,» she admitted. «Youre the first who chose mercy over logic. It struck me.»
«Probably daft of me.»
«Rare. And rare things matter.»
At the park, the rain eased to a drizzle.
«Fancy a walk?» he asked. «Unless youre in a hurry.»
She hesitated only a second. *»Protocol breached, Katherine,»* she thought, but nodded. He stared at the clearing sky. She waited, giving him time.
«First time anyones understood,» he said suddenly. «People usually think Im odd.»
«Because you refused to turn bitter. These days, that makes you a misfit.»
He met her eyes. «And you? Do I seem odd to you?»
«You seem real. And in my line of work, thats rare.»
A pause. Then: «Want to know why Im so real? Why I fell for her lies?»
She nodded.
He sighed, his gaze distant. Then he begancalmly, as if recounting someone elses story.
«It started and ended at school. Her name was Lily. What I felt wasnt just love; she was everythinglight, beauty, hope. We were *that* couple everyone admired. I carried her books, we danced at prom I truly believed itd last forever. So did everyone else. We were the perfect pair.»
«Then she left. Prestigious uni in London, married a classmate. Sent me a postcardjust three words: *Sorry. Its better this way.*»
«Everything shattered. I didnt drink or rage. Just shut down. Became a welderhid behind the mask and noise. Built walls around my heart, but inside, that naive boy still believed in one great love.»
«When I saw *her* photo onlinethe con artistsomething woke in me. She looked like Lily. Then her bio: *Still believe in love.* Pathetic, right? But I messaged her and she wrote back all the things Id longed to hear. Promises of forever. I wasnt falling for *her* liesI was buying back my own dream. Needing proof that kind of love *could* exist.»
«Oddly, the trial freed me. Seeing herjust a scared, ordinary womanshattered the illusion. That ghost of Lily finally let me go. The money? A pricey exorcism. But worth it.»
He fell silent, bracing for judgement. Instead, Katherine placed her hand over his. Hers was warm, steady.
«Thank you for telling me,» she whispered. «Youre not odd. Youre true to yourself.»
***
Katherine wasnt called «Miss Evans» at work for nothing. Strict, silent, all businessno personal life. So when colleagues spotted her with Thomaswaiting for her after hourseyebrows rose.
Judge Margaret, a woman whose stare could halt criminals mid-step, broke the silence first:
«Well, Katherine, youve surprised me. Thought you had a filing cabinet for a heart. Now youre courting our resident romantic?»
Her younger colleague, Judge Ian, smirked. «With his naivety, hes more eternal victim than knight. Is this a rehabilitation project, Miss Evans?»
«Ian, enough,» Margaret chided, though her lips twitched. «Mans a hard worker. And his choice in court uncommon. Principles over pounds.»
In the break room, a regular solicitor, Steven, spread his hands: «Romance in a courthouse? Feels like a TV drama, not real life.»
Katherine *had* changed. No less professional, but softer. Sometimes she smiled at her phone. A delicate silver chain appeared around her neck.
The office splitcynics muttered about «saving hopeless romantics,» joking, «Better RSVP to the wedding, lads. Well be witnesses: *Yes, Your Honour, the defendant stole the victims heart.*»
The women, especially younger ones, sighed: «Its *beautiful*. Katherine, so stern, and him wounded but kind. And handsome. Straight out of a book!»
Accounts manager Valerie scowled: «Envys ugly. Whens the last time any of us met a decent bloke? Good on her.»
One morning over coffee, Ian feigned innocence: «Miss Evans, how *is* your noble rescuer? Sued anyone else out of the goodness of his heart?»
The room held its breath.
Katherine sipped her tea, set it down, and levelled him with a look.
«Judge Ian, if youre *that* interested in closed cases, I can grant full archive access. Fancy reviewing Case No. 3-452/18? Or 2-187/19? Some *fascinating* characters there.»
Dead silence. Ian choked on his coffee. He knewshed processed *his* cases too.
«No, no, Katherine! Just chatting.»
«Touched by your concern,» she said sweetly. «But my private life isnt *yet* up for judicial review.»
The teasing stopped. Respectful curiosity took its place. The clincher came when Thomas dropped her off one morningopening her car door, gently adjusting her coat collar. A simple gesture, but so tender that even the staunchest doubters relented.
That day, Margaret pulled her aside:
«Katherine hes good. I can tell. Hold onto him.»
No protocol, no objections. Just a nod:
«I know.»
The gossip faded. Colleagues understood: their unflappable clerk, keeper of order, had passed her own verdict*»Pardoned. To love. To be happy.»*
And it was final.
