The courtroom rose as the judge entered.
"Be seated."
Justice Mehra's voice was firm, unreadable. Years of power sat effortlessly on his shoulders. I stood at the prosecution's table, spine straight, pulse steady—at least on the surface.
"Ms. Dutt," the judge said, adjusting his glasses. "You may proceed."
Sera
"Your Honor, this case concerns sexual assault and attempted murder. The survivor, Nehra Rathod, was last seen entering a cab traced to locations linked—financially and logistically—to the accused, Mr. Arvind Rathore."
Avinash rose smoothly, like he had rehearsed the movement in front of a mirror.
Avinash
"Objection, Your Honor. Linked is speculative. No eyewitness. No DNA. No weapon. No confession. Only assumptions dressed as analysis."
The judge nodded slowly. "Sustained. Ms. Dutt, confine yourself to verifiable facts."
I inhaled once.
Sera
"The survivor is currently in a coma, Your Honor. However, her injuries indicate restraint, struggle, and repeated trauma. Her psychological profile—"
Avinash
"—is irrelevant."
He turned to the judge. "With respect, Your Honor, psychology is not evidence. My client is being tried on theories, not facts."
Arvind leaned back in his chair, composed, almost bored.
Judge
"Ms. Dutt, do you have material evidence directly implicating the accused?"
Silence.
Not empty—heavy.
Sera
"Not yet, Your Honor."
A murmur swept through the courtroom. Avinash smiled—not wide, not smug. Surgical.
Avinash
"Then this is not a trial. It's harassment. My client's reputation, businesses, and safety are being destroyed on the basis of conjecture."
Judge
"Ms. Dutt?"
I met the judge's gaze.
Sera
"Your Honor, crimes of this nature rarely arrive with convenience. Power erases trails. Money cleans hands. If the court dismisses this now, it sends a message—not that the accused is innocent, but that influence outruns justice."
The judge studied me for a long moment.
Then—
Judge
"I will not dismiss the case."
Arvind's jaw tightened—just slightly.
Judge (continuing)
"However, this court cannot proceed without substantive evidence. Ms. Dutt, you are granted one month to submit concrete proof. Failure to do so will result in dismissal."
The gavel struck.
"One month."
People stood. Voices rose. Cameras flashed. Avinash and Arvind were surrounded instantly.
I didn't move.
I stayed where I was—hands still on the table, mind replaying every word, every missed opportunity, every ticking second I had just been handed.
Then footsteps approached.
Arvind
(smiling)
"Take your time, Ms. Dutt. A month... a year... it won't change the outcome."
Avinash stepped closer.
Avinash
"You know how this ends. You always did."
I finally looked at them.
Calm. Centered.
Sera
"You're right."
They paused—expecting surrender.
I continued.
"You will win arguments. You may even win cases."
A beat.
"But men like you always lose something else—eventually."
Avinash scoffed. "And what would that be?"
I met his eyes.
"Control."
I turned and walked away.
Behind me, their silence followed.
And for the first time since the trial began, I knew this wasn't over.
It had only learned my name.