“I am admitting myself to the private pavilion at the Women’s Health Clinic on Michigan Avenue,” I said, looking directly into his eyes.

“It is a secured facility.”

“You cannot keep me out of a hospital,” Callum said, his voice dangerously low.

“The marshals will be briefed on your location, Mrs. Prescott,” Judge Mallory said, ignoring him.

She stood up, her black robe billowing slightly as she prepared to leave.

“This court is adjourned.”

She exited through the door behind her bench, leaving the room in a tense, heavy silence.

Martin Voss picked up his briefcase, gave me a slight nod, and walked out without looking back at Callum.

Callum watched him go, his jaw tight and a vein throbbing at his temple.

“This is not over, Avery,” Callum whispered across the empty aisle.

“It is,” I said. “Look around you, Callum. You have no lawyer, no doctor, and no ledger.”

Arthur touched my elbow. “Let’s go, Avery.”

We walked out of the courtroom, leaving Callum and Vivian standing by their empty table.

An hour later, the rain was still drumming against the glass of the private suite at the Michigan Avenue clinic.