I placed his childhood photograph near the flowers, not as a shadow over the celebration but as a reminder that families could hold both joy and unfinished stories.

After everyone left, I found Lucas standing in the doorway of his room.

I asked if he needed something.

‘No,’ he said, then changed his mind.

‘Do you remember the first day in court?’

‘Every minute.’

‘You were shaking.’

‘I was scared.’