After Miguel's testimony, the case was effectively over. The defense had no case to present that could counter the mountain of evidence and the raw emotion.
As the court adjourned for the day, the accused were led out. Vega, as he passed our row, stopped for a fraction of a second.
He turned his head and looked not at me, but at the empty space beside me where Luna had so often stood. A flicker of something unreadable—not fear, but a deep, weary recognition—passed through his cold eyes. Then he was gone. He had never believed in her, but in that moment, he finally saw her.