Gavin’s hands gripped the edge of the table so hard his knuckles turned white.

“This court will not be used as an instrument of your fraud,” Judge Beckett said.

She picked up her pen and began writing on her order sheet.

“The petitioner’s custody requests are dismissed in their entirety,” she announced.

I closed my eyes for a brief second, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.

“Your fraudulent behavior and financial misconduct disqualify you from any claim of fitness as a parent,” she said.

“We will recess for fifteen minutes,” the judge added.

“When we return, I will issue the final orders regarding sole legal custody of Nolan and Parker, and the disposition of the Potomac estate.”

She struck her gavel.

The sound was like a gunshot in the quiet room.

Gavin stood up immediately, turning toward me.

“You think you’ve won something?” he hissed, his face contorted with rage.

“I will tie this up in appeals for years,” he whispered. “You won’t get a single cent.”

I looked at him, feeling nothing but pity.

“It’s over, Gavin,” I said.