David and Elara left the courthouse with heavy but relieved steps. The hot sun shone on the streets, but between them, clouds still lingered.
"Thank you," David said to Robert, who gave a faint smile.
"This is my job. But remember, David, victory in court is not the end. What's more important is how you rebuild what has been broken."
Robert said goodbye, leaving David and Elara alone in front of the courthouse.
David looked at Elara. "I know this doesn't automatically fix everything between us. But at least, the truth has been spoken."
Elara took a deep breath. "Yes. But David... the truth you've been searching for, you now have it. Now, I need time to find my own truth."
David nodded, his heart aching but accepting. "I understand. I won't force you anymore. But please, don't close the door completely. For Alisha... and for us, if one day you give me another chance."
Elara did not answer, only her eyes welled up. They parted there—David headed to his car, Elara left alone in a taxi.
In the taxi, Elara finally took out her phone. Her finger opened Kael's contact, then stopped. She smiled bitterly, then put her phone away again.
"No," she whispered to herself. "I have to finish this on my own first. I have to learn to be Elara again—not David's possession, nor an escape to Kael. Just Elara."
And for the first time in a long while, she felt a small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel of her life—a light of her own.