ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN

SYLVIA'S POV

After unlocking the door and stepping inside, I headed straight to the kitchen to drop off the groceries. The familiar hum of the refrigerator and the cozy atmosphere of the apartment greeted me, a stark contrast to the tension and drama of the courtroom. I quickly checked the time on my phone, wondering if I could whip up lunch before Zenith and Zendaya got home from school. Realizing I couldn't risk the timing, I decided to get a head start by prepping the meal instead.

I began by cutting vegetables and marinating the chicken, enjoying the rhythmic chopping and the fragrant smell of the spices. The simple act of cooking was a soothing balm after the chaotic weeks I’d endured. Once everything was prepped and ready, I set it aside for later.

Feeling the need to wash off the day's stress, I headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. The warm water was refreshing, and I allowed myself a few moments to simply breathe and relax. After drying off, I slipped into a comfortable