Derek’s face flushes. “I want what’s best for my son.”
“Or you want to hurt Ms. Morgan.” Patricia pulls out another document. “I have text messages here from you to Ms. Morgan over the past year. Would you like me to read them to the court?”
His lawyer objects again. The judge allows it.
Patricia reads. “‘You’ll never make it without me. You’re going to fail and come crawling back.’ That was sent three months after the separation. Here’s another: ‘Tommy deserves better than a mother who can’t even keep a job.’ That was sent last month. And my personal favorite: ‘I’ll make sure everyone knows what kind of person you really are.’”
The courtroom is silent.
“These messages show a pattern of emotional manipulation and harassment, Mr. Mitchell. They show that your interest isn’t in Thomas’s wellbeing, but in controlling and punishing Ms. Morgan.” Patricia steps closer. “So, I’ll ask again—why are you really here?”
“I want my son.” But his voice is weak now, defensive.
“You want custody of a child you’ve ignored for over a year because it gives you power over his mother. That’s what this is about.”
“Objection!” His lawyer is on his feet. “Counsel is badgering the witness.”
“Sustained. Move on, Ms. Harris.”
But the damage is done. I can see it on Judge Harris’s face.
The hearing wraps up with closing statements. Derek’s lawyer tries to salvage his case, talking about structure and traditional family values. Patricia dismantles it with facts—Rachel’s community support, Tommy’s happiness, Derek’s abandonment.
Judge Harris calls a fifteen-minute recess to review the evidence.
Those fifteen minutes feel like fifteen hours.
Rachel sits at her table, hands folded, staring at nothing. I want to go to her, but Patricia warned us against any contact during the proceedings. So, I watch, willing her to feel my support across the room.
When the judge returns, the bailiff calls us to order.
“I’ve reviewed all testimony and evidence presented today.” Judge Harris looks directly at Derek. “Mr. Mitchell, I find your sudden interest in custody suspect at best, manipulative at worst. You’ve demonstrated no consistent involvement in Thomas’s life, no financial support, and frankly, the text messages presented show a concerning pattern of harassment toward Ms. Morgan.”
Derek’s face goes white.
“Ms. Morgan, on the other hand, has demonstrated consistent, loving care for Thomas despite facing significant challenges. Her community support is strong, her dedication to her son is clear, and there is no evidence whatsoever that Thomas is anything but thriving in her care.”
Rachel’s shoulders start to shake.
“Therefore, I am ruling in favor of Ms. Morgan. Full legal and physical custody remains with the mother. Mr. Mitchell, you are granted supervised visitation—two hours every other Saturday, at the discretion of Ms. Morgan, subject to your consistent attendance and appropriate behavior. Should you miss threeconsecutive visits, your visitation rights will be suspended pending further review.”
The gavel comes down.
“Court is adjourned.”
Rachel collapses forward, hands over her face, shoulders heaving with sobs. Patricia puts a hand on her back, saying something I can’t hear.
I’m out of my seat and across the room before I fully register moving. Jake gets there first, pulling Rachel into his arms. She’s crying so hard she can’t speak, just holding onto her brother like he’s the only thing keeping her upright.
Derek storms out, his lawyer following. Neither of them looks back.
I stand there watching Rachel fall apart with relief, feeling my own throat get tight. She won. She gets to keep her son. She gets to keep her life.
When she finally pulls back from Jake, her eyes find mine. Red-rimmed, tear-stained, but bright with joy.
“You did it,” I mouth.
She nods, laughing through her tears. “We did it.”
