“They are to have no contact with the petitioner, direct or indirect.”

“Any violation of this order will result in immediate incarceration.”

Judge Thomas brought her gavel down with a sharp crack.

“This court is adjourned.”

The sound of the gavel felt like a physical release.

The heavy chains that had bound me to my family’s demands for years simply fell away.

Sarah turned to me, a small, professional smile on her face.

“You won, Mark,” she said.

“Thank you, Sarah,” I said, my voice shaking slightly.

My father hugged me briefly.

“I’m proud of you, son,” he said. “Now, what about your apartment?”

My phone buzzed again in my hand.

It was a text from Luis, the doorman.

“Captain, we have a situation,” the text read. “I am calling you now.”

The phone began to ring.

I answered it immediately.

“Luis,” I said. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, Captain,” Luis said, his voice coming through the speaker.

“A man was trying to get into your unit.”

“He broke the security latch.”

“Who was it?” I asked, looking across the courtroom.