Then Kevin’s attorney stands, voice dipped in honey but sharp enough to cut.
“She left the marital home without notice, Your Honor.”
“She deprived Mr. Masters of the opportunity to maintain a bond with his daughter.”
“She acted emotionally and impulsively.”
Each sentence lands like a slap. I hear Ethan growl behind me, quiet but feral. Cas grips his shoulder, holding him down. Dex’s leg bounces with pent-up rage. Jude’s glare could burn through steel. Jace meets my eye and winks, trying, always trying, to melt the tension with humor.
But Ethan…
Ethan looks ravenous. Protective. Ready to burn the world down for Mia and me.
If I tried to speak now, my voice would crumble to dust.
When the attorney calls their first witness, dread climbs my spine like icy fingers.
It’s Mia.
My baby walks in holding the bailiff’s hand, small and unsure in her soft blue sweater. Her dark curls are tied in the braid I fixed this morning. She scans the room until she finds me, and her lips wobble.
I smile even though my entire body is trying not to collapse.
The judge softens, just barely. The first crack in his stone façade.
“Good morning, Mia,” he says gently.“Would you like to sit up here with me?”
She nods and climbs into the witness chair beside him instead of behind the stand. He crouches so he’s not towering over her. Kind. Careful. Gentle in a way I didn’t expect.
“Do you know why you’re here today?” he asks softly.
Mia swings her feet.“Because… because they need to know where I’m gonna stay.”
My heart cracks clean down the center.
“Yes,” he says softly,“but we’re not here to make you scared. We just want to know how you’re feeling, okay?”
She nods again.
Kevin’s attorney steps closer, her tone syrupy sweet.
“Mia, do you remember living with your daddy?”
“A little,” she whispers.
“And did you like it there?”
She hesitates. Looks down.
“I liked my room.”
Of course she did.
I designed it to be a wonderland in our old cold home with her favorite colors, drawings and toys.
I swallow hard.
The attorney beams like she’s just scored a point.
