The moment hung heavily in the air, like the pause between thunder and lightning. My heart was a frantic drumbeat in my chest as I waited for Zaden to respond. I knew how much pressure he must have felt, being just a child in a world of adult decisions and courtroom jargon. His small shoulders seemed to bear the weight of this pivotal moment.

Zaden shifted slightly, his fingers fumbling with the phone in his hand. He cleared his throat, a small but determined sound that echoed through the quiet room. “Can I play something for you, Your Honor?” he asked, his voice steady but tinged with the innocence only a child can carry.