Inside, the courtroom was smaller than I expected.

Judge Evelyn Vance sat behind a high bench, her glasses resting on the tip of her nose as she reviewed the case file.

The air in the room was cold, smelling of air conditioning and ozone.

We took our places at the petitioner’s table.

Margaret, Ryan, and their attorney, a tall man named Richard Sterling, took the opposite side.

Judge Vance looked down at us over her glasses.

“This is an emergency hearing regarding the temporary custody of Ethan James Parker, an infant,” the judge began.

“Your Honor,” Sterling said, standing up immediately. “My clients are seeking immediate temporary custody due to the mother’s severe medical and psychological instability.”

“Instability?” Victoria rose, her voice calm and steady. “Your Honor, Mrs. Parker is recovering from a near-fatal postpartum hemorrhage.”

“Which has left her physically incapacitated,” Sterling countered. “She is currently confined to a hospital bed, unable to provide basic care for a newborn.”

“And where was the father during this near-fatal event, Mr. Sterling?” Victoria asked, her voice cutting through the quiet room.