The Astonishing Case
“Your Honour, I withdraw my financial claim against the defendant,” Arthur said softly. A murmur of confusion rippled through the courtroom.
The judge, unfazed by most things, raised an eyebrow.
“Mr. Collins, you understand this decision wont affect the verdict but will forfeit your right to compensation?”
“I do.”
Katherinethough young, she was always called by her full name by colleaguescontinued typing without emotion. Five years in this job had hardened her to human pettiness and foolishness. Her duty was to record it all, impassive as a train conductor hauling carriages of other peoples tragedies.
The case against Lydia W. was the kind the press adored. Another fraudster, weaving elaborate lies to scam men on dating sites. Four had sent her substantial sums without ever meeting her. One was told her family had been in a car crash, another that her ex-husband was taking everything down to the spoons, a third about a sick child
“Whats new?” Katherine thought dryly, preparing the files. Four grown men, seemingly successful, had played the knight in shining armour, believing money could buy them love. In reality, theyd been messaging a married mother of three.
And now they were herethe defendant, the plaintiffs. Three of them sat rigid with bitterness, demanding repayment, their words dripping with venom. They werent wrong. The law was on their side. Katherine mechanically noted the familiar phrases: “emotional distress,” “deception,” “financial exploitation.”
Arthur Collins sat apart, neither angry nor pitiful. When he announced he wanted no compensation, the room fell silent. One of the men whipped around.
“Have you lost your mind? She played you for a fool! She probably bought her husband a phone with your money!”
Arthur looked at him with an odd sadness.
“I know. But she has three children. Let the money go to them. I dont need it back.”
Katherine glanced up, startled. Generosity was rare in these walls. His handsa welders hands, calloused and steadyrested calmly on his knees. His eyes held no malice. In a world where everyone fought for scraps, he simply let go.
After the hearing, one plaintiffs lawyer shook his head.
“What a romantic. Naive as a child.”
Katherine, usually silent, countered, “Not naive. Strong. Strength money cant buy.”
The room fell quiet. No one had ever heard “Iron Kate” speak like that. Even she was surprised.
In the following days, she caught herself watching himhow he listened without interrupting, how his gaze lingered on the courtroom windows as if searching the grey sky for answers no one else sought.
On the final day, after the verdict, he lingered in the hallway, disoriented. Katherine stepped out.
“Which way are you headed?” she asked, her tone brisk.
“Nowhere in particular,” he smiled. “Just lost in your corridors.”
“Exits that way.” She nodded.
“Thanks.”
He took a few steps before she called after him.
“Arthur?”
He turned, surprised.
“You were right,” she said, her voice wavering. “About the children. It was decent of you.”
He studied her.
“You know, Katherine” He hesitated, unsure how to address her.
“Kate,” she offered.
“Kate. Kindness is rare, especially here. Thank you for noticing.”
He left. She watched him go, feeling something long dormant stir in her chest.
Then came the rain. A downpour erupted just as Arthur stepped outside. He paused under the awning, debating whether to sprint for the bus stop.
A voice spoke behind him.
“Weve a government-issue umbrella. Meant for documents, but I suppose itll do for a decent man.”
It was Kate, holding a large black umbrella. Her eyes flickered with uncertainty, as if she didnt quite believe herself.
“I dont want to keep you,” Arthur said.
“My shifts over. Im walking to the park. If youre going that way”
They walked side by side beneath the umbrella, careful not to touch. The silence was comfortable.
“You always defend plaintiffs like that?” Arthur finally asked.
“Never,” Kate admitted. “Youre the first who acted illogically. It surprised me.”
“Probably foolish.”
“Rare. And rarity has value.”
They reached the park. The rain had softened to a drizzle.
“Fancy a walk?” Arthur asked. “If youve time.”
Kate hesitated only a second. *”Protocol breached, Katherine,”* she thought, but nodded. Arthur gazed at the clearing sky. She gave him space.
“This is new for me,” he said suddenly. “People usually think Im odd.”
“Because you didnt turn bitter,” Kate murmured. “These days, thats eccentricity.”
He studied her.
“And you? Do you think Im odd?”
“I think youre real. Thats rare in my line of work.”
He was silent, then asked,
“Want to know why? Why I fell for it?”
She nodded.
Arthur sighed. His voice was calm, detached, as if recounting someone elses story.
“It started and ended at school. Her name was Lily. What I felt wasnt just loveshe was everything. Light, beauty, the unattainable. We were *that* couple. Carried her books, danced at prom I was certain it was forever. So sure, I convinced everyone else too. The perfect pair.”
“Then she left. Prestigious university in London, married a classmate. Sent me a postcard. Can you believe it? Not even a letter. Just Sorry. Its for the best.”
“Everything collapsed. I didnt drink or rage. Just stopped feeling. Became a welderhid behind the mask and noise. Built a fortress around my heart, but inside, that naive boy still believed in one true love.”
“Then I saw *her* photo onlinethe scammer. She looked like Lily. And the captionStill believe in love. Pathetic, right? I messaged her. And she replied with the words Id waited years to hear. Promises of forever, loyalty, something real. It was the key to my fortress. I ignored the red flags because I wanted the fairy tale back. I wasnt buying *her* liesI was buying the echo of my own dream. I needed proof that love like mine wasnt foolish. That it could exist.”
“The trial didnt punish meit freed me. At first, I was humiliated. Then, seeing herjust a scared, pitiful womanthe illusion shattered. Lilys ghost finally left. The money? Payment for an exorcism. Expensive, but effective.”
He fell silent, awaiting her verdicta conviction for naivety. Instead, Kate placed her hand over his. Her grip was warm, firm.
“Thank you for telling me,” she said softly. “Now I understand. Youre not odd. Youre true to yourself.”
***
No one called Kate by her first name at work without reason. She was stern, reserved, ruthlessly efficientmarried to the job, no personal life. When colleagues spotted her with Arthurwaiting for her after hoursthey gawked.
Judge Margaret, a woman whose glare could halt criminals mid-step, broke the silence first.
“Well, Katherines surprised me. Thought she had a filing cabinet for a heart. Now shes courting a plaintiff with the soul of a poet.”
Her colleague, Judge Ian, smirked.
“With his naivety, hes more like a defendant under excessive gullibility. Katherines taken on his re-education?”
“Ian, spare us the cynicism,” Margaret chided, though her lips quirked. “The mans a hard worker. And what he did was unorthodox. Rare to see principles trump money here.”
In the break room, solicitor Stanley spread his hands.
“Romance in a courthouse? Next youll tell me theyre filming a soap opera here.”
Kate hadnt softenednot professionallybut sometimes she smiled at her phone. A delicate silver chain appeared around her neck.
The office split into cynics and romantics.
The men muttered about “fools and their saviours,” joking, “Better prep for a wedding invitation. Theyll need witnessesYes, Your Honour, I saw the defendant steal the plaintiffs heart.”
The womenespecially the younger onessighed. “Its beautiful! Katherines always so stern, untouchable. And hes wounded but kind. And handsome. Its like a novel!”
Accounts manager Valerie scowled.
“Oh, pipe down. Whens the last time any of you knew real feeling? A good-hearted mans rarer than hens teeth. Good for her.”
One morning, over coffee, Ian feigned innocence.
“Katherine, how *is* your noble benefactor? Filed any more charitable lawsuits?”
The room braced for an explosion.
Kate sipped her coffee, set it down, and levelled him with a look.
“Ian, if youre so interested in closed cases, I can grant you full archive access. Fancy reviewing Case No. 3-452/18? Or perhaps 2-187/19? Some *very* colourful characters there.”
Silence. Ian choked on his coffee. He knewshed processed his files too.
“NoKatherine, I justfriendly concern!”
“Touching,” she said sweetly. “But my personal life isnt under scrutiny. Yet.”
The mockery stopped. Curiosity remained, tinged with respect. The climax came when Arthur dropped her off in his modest but tidy car, straightening her coat collara gesture so tender, even the sceptics surrendered.
That day, Margaret pulled her aside.
“Kate. Hes good. It shows. Hold onto him.”
The only verdict Kate accepted without protest. She nodded.
“Thank you, Margaret. I know.”
The gossip faded. Colleagues understood: their unflappable secretary, keeper of order and protocol, had issued herself a final ruling*”Pardoned. To love. To be happy.”*
And it was non-negotiable.
