Mark’s lawyer spoke confidently, painting him as a devoted father and me as emotionally unstable. Every crack in my voice, every tremor in my hands—they used it all against me.
“Your Honor, Mr. Carter is simply seeking a stable environment for his daughter—”
“Excuse me.”
A small voice cut through the room.
Everyone turned.
It was Lily.
Standing there in her little blue dress, clutching her stuffed rabbit, visibly nervous but determined.
The judge’s expression softened. “Yes, sweetheart?”
“May I show you something?” she asked. “Something my mom doesn’t know about?”
My heart stopped.
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