Mahendra's lawyer, desperate and cornered, quickly rose to his feet. "Your Honor, we must consider the possibility that these images are fabricated! That this is merely an emotional ploy to sway the court—"

But the judge slammed their gavel down, their patience completely gone. "Enough!" their voice thundered through the courtroom. "I have heard enough of this blatant manipulation!"

The lawyer sat down, defeated, as the judge turned their gaze toward Gurvinder. Their expression softened, yet there was a clear intensity in their eyes.

"Gurvinder Singh," the judge said, "I have been watching you for some time now. Your name has spread beyond this courtroom. Your interviews, your actions, even the viral videos of your fights—I have seen them. And today, standing here, watching you fight yet again, not with your fists but with your truth… I see the same strength in you that so many others have spoken about."

The courtroom was silent, everyone holding their breath. Gurvi stood tall, listening, his hands clenched at his sides.

The judge continued, their voice carrying both authority and respect. "You have endured unimaginable cruelty. You have fought battles no child should ever have to fight. And yet, here you are—not broken, but standing. No one could look at you today and say these scars are anything but proof of your survival. Proof of your truth."

Mahendra was gripping the table so hard his knuckles turned white. He looked like a man watching his empire crumble.

The judge leaned forward slightly, his voice steady yet filled with a deep understanding. "Gurvinder, I doubt you remember, but I once stepped into the bakery where you now call home. I saw you there—laughing, speaking with customers, your wit and charisma lighting up the room. You carried yourself with such ease that anyone would have assumed you had no troubles at all."

Gurvi's breath hitched slightly, his fingers twitching at the memory. He had no recollection of seeing the judge before, but he knew what moment the judge was referring to.

"But," the judge continued, his voice softening, "I have spent years in this profession. My eyes are trained not just to see, but to look deeper. Even then, I noticed something… something that most wouldn't. Behind that charm, behind that smile, there was a shadow—an exhaustion in your eyes, a weight you carried that no one else seemed to notice."

The entire courtroom was silent, hanging onto every word.

"And today, I see the reason behind that weight," the judge said, his voice firm once more. "You were not just a boy trying to survive—you were a boy trying to protect your own heart from breaking completely. Even back then, you wore your pain well, masking it behind humor, behind kindness, behind that unstoppable spirit of yours."

Gurvi clenched his jaw, his throat tightening, but he refused to look away. Marinette reached for his hand under the table, squeezing it tightly.

"And Marinette Dupain-Cheng," the judge continued, now looking at her. "You are no less remarkable. In this battle, you have fought alongside him, stood by him when many would have stepped away. You did not just support him—you have helped him carry a weight that was never yours to bear. That is the mark of true strength, and if there is any justice in this world, it should recognize the strength both of you have shown here today."

Gurvi felt his heart pound against his ribs, a strange mix of emotions swirling inside him—gratitude, disbelief, and something so deep that he wasn't sure he could name it.

The judge then turned his gaze toward the others—Tom, Sabine, and Gurvinder's friends, who had all come forward in his defense.

"Tom and Sabine Dupain-Cheng," he said, his tone filled with respect. "You have not just given this boy shelter; you have given him a home, a family, and a love that cannot be measured. Not many would fight so fiercely for someone who was once a stranger, but you did. The world needs more people like you."

Tom and Sabine exchanged a glance, their eyes glistening with emotion as they held onto each other's hands.

"And to his friends—Alya, Nino, Adrien, Nathaniel—you stood here today and spoke not just of his strength but of his kindness. Friendship is not just about being there for the good times; it's about standing in the fire with someone when the world turns against them. You all did that today, and it speaks volumes about the kind of person Gurvinder is."

Adrien nodded, his expression firm, while Alya wiped a tear from her eye. Nino gave Gurvi a reassuring thumbs-up, and Nathaniel, who once harbored resentment, now stood with newfound respect in his eyes.

The judge leaned back slightly, his voice carrying throughout the silent courtroom. "This case has shown me something rare—not just a fight for justice, but the unwavering power of love, friendship, and resilience. And that… is something that should never be ignored."

The courtroom fell silent as the judge's expression darkened. He turned to Mahendra, his voice laced with authority.

"Mahendra Singh, after reviewing the evidence presented today, including the testimonies, photographic proof, and witness accounts, this court finds you guilty of multiple offenses under French law."

Mahendra's face turned pale, his hands gripping the table tightly.

The judge continued, his voice unwavering. "You are charged with child abuse, human trafficking, illegal labor exploitation, aggravated assault, and attempted murder. You not only subjected your own nephew to inhumane treatment but also attempted to manipulate the law and public perception to cover your crimes."

Gasps echoed throughout the courtroom. Marinette squeezed Gurvinder's hand, her eyes still filled with anger and pain.

The judge's voice grew harsher. "Furthermore, in light of the attack that took place just before this hearing, and given your history of using violence to silence your victim, the court is opening an investigation into your direct or indirect involvement in the assassination attempt on Gurvinder Singh today. Until then, you will be held in custody."

Mahendra's lawyer tried to interject, but the judge slammed his gavel. "Enough. No more lies, no more manipulation. The law will see justice done."

Security moved forward to detain Mahendra, who began shouting in protest. "This is ridiculous! He's lying! He's—"

But his words fell on deaf ears. As the officers cuffed him, the reality of the situation finally dawned on him. The power he once had over Gurvinder was gone.

The judge then turned to Gurvinder. "As for you, young man, this court recognizes you as a victim, not a criminal. Your legal status in France will now be formally reviewed, with full protection from the state."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Gurvinder felt the weight on his chest ease slightly. The battle wasn't over, but for the first time… he had truly won.

As the judge's words sank in, something inside Gurvinder shifted.

For years, he had lived under the constant threat of being sent back, of losing everything, of being treated like he didn't belong anywhere. He had endured the stares, the whispers, the bruises, the blood, and the loneliness. He had fought, struggled, survived—but now, for the first time, he didn't have to.

He didn't have to fight anymore.

His knees buckled. Before he could stop himself, he collapsed onto the courtroom floor, his hands clutching his face as uncontrollable sobs wracked his body.

It was as if every tear he had suppressed for years, every pain he had swallowed, every wound he had ignored—everything—came crashing down on him all at once. He cried, not just for the suffering he had endured, but for the life he had never thought possible. A life where he was free. A life where he could wake up without fear. A life where he could have Marinette by his side, without the looming shadow of deportation.

Marinette was already kneeling beside him, wrapping her arms tightly around him, her own eyes filled with tears. "You're safe now, Gurvi," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You're free."

He clutched onto her desperately, crying into her shoulder, his fingers digging into her shirt as if he feared she might disappear too.

His friends stood frozen, watching the strongest person they knew finally break—not from pain, but from the sheer weight of relief. Tom and Sabine had tears in their eyes, Adrien's fists were clenched at his sides, and Alya wiped her face as Nino placed a hand on her shoulder. Even the judge had to pause for a moment, watching the young man who had fought so much finally let go.

For the first time in his life, Gurvinder wasn't fighting to survive.

For the first time, he was simply… living.

The courtroom was silent except for Gurvinder's sobs. Everyone watched as years of pain, fear, and struggle poured out of him.

The judge, who had remained composed throughout the trial, slowly stood from his seat. His stern expression softened as he walked down toward Gurvinder. Without hesitation, he reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Stand up, son," the judge said, his voice firm but kind.

Gurvinder, still shaking, struggled to get to his feet. Marinette held onto him, steadying him as he looked up at the judge through tear-filled eyes.

"You have fought harder than most ever will in their lifetime," the judge said, his gaze unwavering. "And yet, through it all, you remained strong—not just for yourself, but for those around you. That is not just strength, Gurvinder. That is resilience, that is courage, and that is what makes you who you are."

Gurvinder swallowed, his throat too tight to speak.

The judge then turned to Marinette, his eyes filled with admiration. "And you… You stood by him when the world turned against him. It takes a special kind of heart to love someone in their darkest moments."

Marinette's grip on Gurvinder tightened as she nodded, tears threatening to fall again.

Then, to everyone's surprise, the judge pulled them both into a warm embrace. It wasn't just a formality or an empty gesture—it was the recognition of everything they had endured. The courtroom, which had been filled with tension and judgment, now felt like a place of acceptance and warmth.

As the judge pulled away, he smiled. "No more fighting, Gurvinder. No more running. You are home now."

As the judge stepped back, allowing Gurvinder and Marinette a moment to take everything in, the courtroom doors suddenly burst open.

One of their classmates—breathless, overwhelmed with emotion—ran outside and shouted at the top of their lungs, "GURVI WON!"

For a split second, there was silence. Then, as if a dam had broken, the entire crowd outside erupted into cheers.

The students, parents, teachers, and even strangers who had gathered in support of him all roared with joy. The street outside the courthouse was alive with celebration—people clapping, chanting his name, some even crying from the sheer weight of what had just happened.

Gurvinder could hear his classmates shouting in excitement:

"He did it!"

"Gurvi is staying!"

"That bastard Mahendra is finished!"

Even Nino and Alya were hugging each other in relief, while Adrien stood with a proud, knowing smile.

Tom and Sabine rushed forward, wrapping both Gurvinder and Marinette in a crushing hug. Sabine was openly crying, while Tom patted Gurvi's back firmly, pride shining in his eyes.

Gurvinder looked around, dazed. Just hours ago, he had walked into this courthouse prepared for the worst, believing he would lose everything. But now… now he had a home, a future, and most importantly, he had won.

Marinette, eyes glistening with happy tears, cupped his face. "I told you," she whispered with a smile. "No matter what happened, I was going to stay with you."

Gurvinder exhaled shakily, his lips pressing into a trembling smile. His body was still exhausted, still aching from the fight, but for the first time in years—he felt free.

Marinette had held herself together for so long. Through every battle, every hardship, she had been strong—for him, for them. But now, as the reality set in, as she looked at him—bruised, exhausted, but free—something inside her broke.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and before she could stop them, they spilled over. A choked sob left her lips as she grabbed onto him, burying her face into his chest.

"You idiot," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You absolute idiot…"

And then, unable to hold back anymore, she started crying—deep, uncontrollable sobs that shook her body. She clung to him as if letting go would make him disappear. The months of fear, the pain of watching him suffer, the nightmares of losing him—everything crashed down on her at once.

Gurvinder, still overwhelmed himself, could only hold her close, his arms wrapping tightly around her. He gently stroked her back, his heart aching at the sound of her cries.

But then, through her sobs, Marinette suddenly started kissing him—over and over again.

She pressed desperate, tearful kisses to his forehead, his cheeks, his nose—anywhere she could reach. Her hands trembled as they cupped his face, her thumbs brushing away his own lingering tears.

"You're staying," she whispered between kisses. "You're mine." Another kiss. "Forever." Another. "No more running. No more fighting alone." Another. "You hear me, Gurvi?"

He chuckled softly, his own eyes still damp, as he held her face. "Loud and clear, dummy."

Marinette let out a shaky laugh, still crying, still kissing him, still unable to believe that after everything, he was finally hers.

As Marinette kept kissing Gurvinder's face through her tears, Alya, ever the journalist, had her phone out, capturing every second. She knew this was more than just a victory—it was a moment everyone needed to see. The once-misunderstood, feared boy was now the heart of the people, and the love between him and Marinette was undeniable.

Meanwhile, the boys—Adrien, Nino, Nathaniel, Kim, and even Ivan—couldn't hold back any longer. With an excited cheer, they launched themselves onto Gurvinder, tackling him into a massive, suffocating group hug.

"Gurviiii!" Nino shouted, ruffling his hair like a proud older brother.

"You freaking legend!" Kim laughed, slapping his back hard enough to nearly knock him over.

"You better not make her cry like that again," Adrien teased, smirking. "Or I might just challenge you next."

Gurvi, still overwhelmed, let out a breathless chuckle, his arms trapped under the weight of his friends. "I just won my freedom, and now you guys wanna suffocate me?"

Nathaniel, usually quiet, chuckled too, shaking his head. "After everything, I think you can handle a little love, tough guy."

Marinette wiped her eyes, laughing softly as she watched them. Alya was still recording, and the entire school—their friends, their classmates, even their teachers—cheered and clapped, chanting "Gurvi! Gurvi! Gurvi!"

For the first time in years, Gurvinder wasn't just fighting to survive.

He was living.