The next morning, the rain had stopped, leaving the city streets wet and reflective.

Sarah met me outside the family courthouse at nine o’clock.

She was carrying a thick leather briefcase filled with our evidence.

“How is your mother?” Sarah asked as we walked up the stone steps.

“She is resting,” I said. “The doctors say she is responding well to the new treatment.”

“Good,” Sarah said. “We will need her statement, but what we have in this briefcase is more than enough.”

We entered the courtroom, which was quiet and smelled of old wood and polish.

Judge Sterling, a stern woman with gray hair, sat behind the high bench.

Daniel was already seated at the defense table, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit.

His high-priced defense attorney, a man named Henderson, sat beside him.

Daniel looked pale, his hair uncombed, his usual confidence entirely gone.

He did not look at me as I took my seat at the plaintiff’s table.

“We are here today to resolve the matter of custody for Lucas and Mason Carter,” Judge Sterling said.

“Mr. Henderson, I have reviewed your motion for a continuance,” the judge noted.