The courtroom seemed frozen, the atmosphere tense, the judge’s words pounding like hammers. Alex Miller, the convicted ex-cop, stood, his figure rigidly erect, but his gaze lost in space. He could no longer hear anything. The words of corruption, abuse of power, betrayal… everything he had built had crumbled, and with it, his dignity.
The judge looked at Alex, his face impassive.
“Ex-cop Alex Miller is sentenced to ten years in prison…” he continued, not pausing for a moment. “Do you have anything to say, officer?”
Alex’s voice came out frail, almost broken, as he leaned forward, as if every word was crushing him.