He Asked To…

Another life sealed. Another case finished.

Except the man standing in the center of the room did not move.

Carter Halston remained still in his orange uniform, his wrists bound in front of him, his expression strangely calm—not defeated, not angry, just… focused, as if something inside him refused to accept that this was the end. When the bailiff stepped closer, Carter finally spoke.

“Your Honor… I understand the verdict.”

His voice sounded rough, but controlled, like someone choosing every word carefully.

“I’m not asking you to change anything,” he added after a short pause. “I just have one request.”

The judge looked at him again, this time more closely. There was no desperation in his face, no attempt to manipulate the moment. Only restraint.