“Good,” Jerome said. “She knows the estate is in jeopardy if Scott violates the terms.”

“Is the hearing really tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Jerome said. “Nine o’clock. Courtroom 4B.”

“What do I need to bring?”

“Just yourself,” Jerome said. “And your courage. Scott thinks he has already won.”

I hung up and stared at my reflection in the dark kitchen window.

I didn’t sleep that night.

I watched the digital clock on my nightstand tick from two to three, then four.

At six, I got out of bed and showered.

The water was hot, but it didn’t stop the shivering inside my chest.

I wore a charcoal-grey suit, the most professional outfit I owned.

I put on a pair of silver earrings Scott had bought me for our fifth anniversary.

It felt like wearing armor.

Rachel arrived at my house at seven-thirty.

She held two paper cups of black coffee.

“You look ready,” Rachel said, handing me a cup.

“I don’t feel ready,” I said.

“You are,” she said. “He took everything from you. Today, we take it back.”

We drove to the county courthouse in silence.