She banged her gavel down with a sharp, final crack.

“This court is adjourned.”

The bailiffs immediately stepped forward, pulling Patricia and Courtney’s hands behind their backs to handcuff them.

The metallic clicking of the cuffs was the loudest sound in the room.

“This is a mistake,” Patricia whispered as she was led away, though her voice lacked its usual venom. “You will hear from my appellate lawyers.”

“Move along,” the bailiff said, guiding her through the side door leading to the holding cells.

Courtney followed, still crying hysterically, her expensive leather heels clicking unevenly on the floor.

Ethan remained at the table, staring at the empty space where his mother had just been sitting.

His attorney tapped him on the shoulder, but Ethan did not move.

I looked down at Owen, who had fallen back into a deep, peaceful sleep.

“It’s over, Hannah,” my father said softly.

He stood beside me, his tall frame blocking my view of Ethan.

“Let’s go home,” I said.

We walked out of the courtroom together.

The hallway was quiet now, the reporters and onlookers having cleared out.