Then she asked me to testify.
My legs shook when I stood.
I told the judge everything.
Not dramatically.
Just truth in order.
Ryan leaving.
My water breaking.
The unanswered calls.
Eli arriving.
The labor.
The accusation.
The threat.
When Ryan’s attorney asked whether I had an emotional relationship with Eli Dawson, I looked at him and said, “Yes. Gratitude.”
Priya looked down, hiding a smile.
The judge granted temporary primary physical custody to me, supervised visitation for Ryan, and ordered both parents to use a monitored communication app. She also ordered Ryan to complete a parenting class and a psychological evaluation before expanded visits would be considered.
Ryan looked as if someone had slapped him.
Outside the courtroom, he approached before Priya could stop him.
“This is what you wanted?” he hissed.
I looked at him.
For the first time, I saw him clearly without the glitter of ambition, without the story I had told myself about pressure and stress and potential.
