31- You are a sunshine

Alessandro, the police officer who had conducted the investigation, took the stand to

rebut the defense arguments. He explained to the jury that this was not the first time that

Everth had been involved in problematic situations with the law. He detailed

previous incidents involving Everth in illegal activities, creating a context that

suggested a predisposition to criminal behavior.

— Honorable members of the jury, we cannot ignore the defendant's

previous history.

This is not the first time that Everth has found himself outside the law, and this

pattern of behavior should be taken into account when evaluating his involvement in these crimes.

His history shows a tendency to get involved in illicit activities —Alessandro

stated firmly.

The defense attorney, aware that this new element could damage Everth's

image, prepared to counter these arguments against him. Meanwhile, Ivan, in the courtroom, felt the pressure mounting, knowing that his friend’s legal battle was becoming more complicated with each revelation.

Alessandro continued to present additional evidence supporting the theory that Everth was not only present at the crime scene, but also had motive to commit the murders. The jury, now faced with two opposing narratives, had the difficult task of discerning the truth amidst the complexities and contradictions of the case.

The courtroom fell into a tense silence as both sides presented their closing arguments. Everth’s fate was in the hands of the jury, who had to weigh the evidence presented and decide whether he was innocent or guilty of the crimes he was charged with.

After several minutes… There was finally some light on Everth’s path.

The defense attorney, feeling the urgency to counter Alessandro's accusations, took the stand to argue that Everth's history was strongly

related to alcohol abuse. He strove to portray his client as someone who, in moments of

drunkenness, acted impulsively, but that this should not be

considered as a predisposition to violence or premeditated criminal behavior.

“ Honorable members of the jury, we cannot overlook the relationship between Everth's

actions and his excessive alcohol consumption. We propose that he be granted bail

so that he can deal with this problem appropriately. We are willing to

collaborate with courses and rehabilitation programs that specifically address Everth's

relationship with alcohol. This does not justify his actions, but it could explain his

behavior at the time of the crimes,” the attorney said. The defense presented medical reports and psychological evaluations supporting the idea that Everth could benefit from substance abuse treatment programs. They argued that doing so would address the root of the problem and prevent future relapses into criminal behavior. The judge, considering the defense's request and acknowledging the possibility that alcoholism may have influenced Everth's actions, took a few moments before making his decision. The jury watched intently, aware that this decision could have a significant impact on the course of the trial and Everth's fate. The news that the judge would consider the defense's proposal, allowing Everth the opportunity to address his alcohol problem, filled Everth with a mixture of relief and hope. The possibility of pursuing a path to rehabilitation while simultaneously seeking to rebuild his relationship with Jade, lay before him. Ivan, the loyal friend who accompanied him in this process, shared Everth's joy.

They both knew that the fight was not completely won, but the light at the end of the tunnel

was becoming more visible.

“Friend, this is just the beginning. I am sure that, with determination and effort,

you will be able to overcome this and show your true nature. Besides, we will see how

we get those 3,000 dollars together. We have time to plan and work on this together,”

Iván told him, expressing his confidence in the future.

Everth, grateful for his friend's help and for the opportunity that was

presented to him, committed himself to taking his rehabilitation seriously. He knew that he

was not only fighting for his freedom, but also for the possibility of building a healthier and

more meaningful future.

At that moment, as the pieces of the legal puzzle began to fit together, Everth

allowed himself to feel hope and motivation. The opportunity to change his life and seek reconciliation with Jade

appeared like an unexpected gift in the midst of adversity. With that in mind, Everth set out to face the challenges that still awaited him, knowing that every step he took in the This process would be crucial for their future.

Meanwhile, Samantha was in her room…

Samantha, with a defiant look, was leafing through the information she had collected in the apartment she shared with Cris. Between photographs, letters and documents, she believed she had found the way to keep Cris by her side. In her mind, the idea that Jade and Cris would never be together became an obsession.

“These two will never be together. I will not allow that idiot Cris to escape from my clutches. He is only mine, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure it is so,” Samantha muttered to herself, fueling her determination.

With a sinister smile on her face, Samantha was devising plans to sabotage any possibility of reconciliation between Cris and Jade. She immersed herself in the scheming of strategies that could undermine the connection between them, convinced that she could keep Cris by her side, even against her will.

Samantha's obsession led her to mentally review every detail of the relationship with Cris. She remembered shared moments, gestures of affection and oaths of loyalty that, in her mind, transformed into an unbreakable bond.

— Cris is not going anywhere. This information will be my ace up my sleeve. I will do whatever it takes to keep him, even if I have to destroy everything that stands in our way — thought Samantha, feeding her obsession.

While Samantha was plotting her plans, Cris, oblivious to the storm brewing in his partner's mind, headed toward the beach to enjoy the upcoming party. The sea breeze caressed his face, and the distant music marked the rhythm of a night that promised to be memorable. However, the shadow of tension with Samantha still accompanied him, leaving a trace of concern on his expression.

"I hope that tonight can be a respite, at least for a moment. I need to get away from problems and find clarity in the midst of this chaos," Cris thought as she approached the party venue.

Later, while Jade planned her life, she anxiously waited for a message or a call from Cris.

Time moved on, and Jade, with growing expectation, waited for Cris's call.

Although her heart was filled with the spark of the previous night, the absence of news from Cris began to sow seeds of doubt in her mind. With each glance at the phone that remained silent, a hint of concern appeared in her expression.

— Why hasn't he called? Is he playing with me? —Jade wondered, feeling a mix of anxiety and disappointment. Although she tried to remain calm, thoughts of doubt took over her thoughts.

The wait became a test of patience for Jade. In her mind, possible scenarios played out: from sudden problems to the possibility that Cris did not share the same enthusiasm as her for the meeting. Every minute that passed without news generated a knot in her stomach.

On the other hand, Cris, oblivious to Jade's anguish, was immersed in a conversation with Alessandro, his friend. Distractions and work commitments had delayed his plans to attend the party, and Cris could not help but feel caught in a whirlwind of responsibilities.

— I should have called Jade. But these problems leave me no room. I hope she understands —thought Cris, feeling the weight of the circumstances on her shoulders.

Finally, aware that her delay could lead to misunderstandings, Cris decided to send

a message to Jade explaining the situation and promising that she would soon join the party.

However, the time that had passed since their last interaction generated doubts

in Jade, who received the message with a hint of disappointment.

— Problems? Or does she just not want to be here? —Jade muttered to herself,

questioning the sincerity of Cris's words.