“Your sons?” I said softly.

I didn’t look at him. I kept my eyes on the judge.

“Mr. Rourke, you have lied about your income, your assets, and your residency,” Judge Beckett said.

She tapped her black pen against her desk.

“These actions speak directly to your character and your fitness to make decisions for these children.”

“I am their father,” Gavin said.

“A father does not hide the family’s security in offshore accounts while claiming he has no money for child support,” Judge Beckett noted.

She looked at me, her expression softening slightly.

“Mrs. Rourke, are the children currently with your mother?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” I replied.

My voice was steady, but my throat was dry.

“They are at her house in Bethesda.”

“Good,” the judge said.

She turned her gaze back to Gavin.

“I am going to take these files into my chambers to review the corporate registry details.”

“We will reconvene tomorrow morning at nine o’clock for my ruling on the custody petitions.”

“Until then, Mr. Rourke, you are ordered to surrender your passport to the clerk of the court.”

Gavin gasped.