Amidst Whispers of Adoption

Olive’s silence was her shield, a fragile barrier against the overwhelming emotions swirling inside her. In the safety of her quiet, she navigated the morning’s preparations, each step feeling like a march toward an uncertain future. Inside the courtroom, Olive felt like a spectator in her own life.

She watched, almost disembodied, as her adoptive parents passionately laid out their case, their voices a distant echo to her internal turmoil. They spoke of love, stability, and a future filled with opportunities—all they wanted to offer her. Olive, usually a fortress of composure, found herself besieged by nerves.

Next: Olive’s heart pounded like a drum as she stood before the judge.