“You were skiing,” I said, speaking out loud for the first time.

The room went completely silent.

I looked Ryan dead in the eye, feeling no fear, only a cold, hard resolve.

“You left me to die, Ryan,” I said. “And you didn’t care about our son until your mother told you he was an asset to your family’s name.”

Ryan’s lawyer stood up. “Your Honor, this is emotional hyperbole—”

“Sit down, counselor,” Judge Vance said, her voice dropping an octave.

She turned her gaze back to the documents, flipping through them slowly.

“Based on the evidence presented, including the clear pattern of neglect and the active harassment of the petitioner,” Judge Vance said, “I am granting sole legal and sole physical custody of Ethan James Parker to the mother, Emma Parker.”

A sharp gasp escaped Margaret’s lips.

“No visitation will be granted to the father at this time,” the judge continued. “Any future visitation will be strictly supervised, pending a full psychological evaluation and completion of parenting classes.”

“Your Honor, this is absurd!” Margaret snapped, standing up from her chair.