She stared straight ahead, her jaw clenched tight.

The judge turned her attention to Ethan.

Ethan sat perfectly still, his eyes fixed on the green blotter paper on the table.

“Ethan Parker,” the judge said, her voice dropping to a tone of deep disgust. “You swore to protect your wife. Instead, you allowed your mother to abuse her, and you actively participated in a scheme to steal her inheritance and her child.”

Ethan did not look up.

“I am denying your custody petition with prejudice,” Judge Henderson declared. “You will have no parental rights, no visitation, and no contact with Owen Parker.”

A heavy silence fell over our side of the table.

My father took a deep, quiet breath.

“Furthermore,” the judge continued, “you are ordered to pay full financial restitution to Hannah Parker in the amount of four hundred and fifty thousand dollars, representing the funds stolen from her estate.”

Ethan’s head sank lower, his shoulders shaking slightly.

“This restitution must be paid in full, and your assets will be frozen immediately to secure these funds,” the judge said.