My heart pounds as her words echo through the courtroom. This is it, the moment everything changes for Ethan and me.
The judge’s sharp gaze flicks to me. “Ms. Moore, you’re represented by Mr. Morgan, correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” I reply in a shaky voice.
“And the respondents are represented by Mr. Jennings?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” says the tall, silver-haired man seated beside my grandparents. His calm, confident demeanor sends a chill through me—he’s clearly prepared to fight.
Judge Harrison reviews the file in front of her. After a moment, she sets it aside and looks up. “Very well. Mr. Morgan, you may proceed.”
Steve rises, his confident presence beside me both comforting and daunting. “Your Honor, we are here today because Ethan Moore’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, intend to send him to boarding school, against his express wishes. This decision will have profound and immediate consequences for his emotional well-being.”
He steps forward, his voice strong but measured. “Ethan’s facing significant challenges in his current school. He’s struggling to fit in, and he’s been the target of bullying. Rather than addressing these issues directly, his grandparents have chosen to remove him from the situation entirely and send him away. Their focus seems to be on avoiding conflict and protecting their own social standing rather than addressing what’s best for Ethan.”
Steve glances at me before continuing. “Ms. Moore has built a life where he can feel safe and supported. She has a stable job, owns a home, and is ready to provide the love and care Ethan needs to heal and thrive.”
He steps back, nodding at me as he takes his seat.
I’m not sure what I expected, but that was good, right? I can’t tell if the judge thinks so, too, but a quick glance at Ethan and Rafael shows they think it’s promising.
“Your Honor,” Mr. Jennings says as he rises, “my clients believe their decision to send Ethan away is in his best interest. The school they’ve chosen is a prestigious institution with a strong academic and social support system.”
He paces slightly. “We dispute the claim that Mr. and Mrs. Moore are more concerned with their reputation than with Ethan’swell-being. They’ve provided him with stability and security for the past five years—notMs. Moore.”
I dig my nails into my palms, biting back the words I want to shout. It wasn’t my decision. They made it for me.
“I have here,” the judge begins, her voice calm but firm, “transcripts from Ms. Moore’s podcasts. Mr. Jennings, these were submitted as part of your evidence. Can you explain the relevance of this material?”
I stare at Steve, silently wondering the same, but he raises a hand as if he’s not the least bit surprised.
“These transcripts highlight a concerning aspect of Ms. Moore’s lifestyle. Her preoccupation with dark and violent themes raises serious questions about her ability to provide a nurturing and emotionally stable environment for a young and impressionable child.”
What?I feel my stomach drop. I discuss crime fiction, for crying out loud. That doesn’t makemedangerous.
Before the judge can respond, Steve stands. “Your Honor, there is absolutelynoevidence to suggest that Ms. Moore’s work has ever negatively impacted her relationship with Ethan.”
The judge listens carefully, her expression giving away nothing. She sets the transcripts aside and picks up another document.
“Next, I have a copy of Ethan’s recent school report and notes from more than one teacher expressing concerns about bullying, submitted by Mr. Morgan.” She reads thoroughly, then lifts her head again. “And this is a copy of theWillowbrook Whistle.Why am I reading this, Counselor?”
Jennings says, “Because Ms. Moore, who claims her affinity for darker themes is fictional and limited to her job, has been credited with the events that led to the arrest of a serial killer. Apparently, she took over a local investigation.”
“And?” I snap before I can stop myself.
“If you don’t mind, Ms. Moore, I will ask the questions,” the judge says. When I nod, cheeks heating, she turns to Jennings. “So, is your argument that Ms. Moore is an unfit guardian because of this?”
“Once again, Ms. Moore seems to be inexplicably attracted to danger and darkness. Her professional life, her love life, and even her interests seem to speak of someone who isn’t suited for the role of caregiver.”
I stand, my chair loudly scraping against the floor. “Are you serious right now?”
“Scarlett—” Steve begins, also standing.
“You’ve neglected to say I also host a podcast about romance. Does that make me aprostitute?” I bark.
“Scarlett!” Steve whisper-screams.
“And my love life?” I insist. “How’s that in any way relevant to this?”
