Jeffrey looked at Vanessa.
Then at me.
“No, sir.”
The judge paused.
“All right.”
Vanessa smiled at him.
It was warm.
Encouraging.
Almost maternal.
Jeffrey drew a breath.
Then he faced the judge.
And said the five words that changed everything.
“She only wants Grandma’s company.”
Silence.
Pure silence.
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
Her attorney turned toward her so quickly his chair moved.
The judge’s expression changed.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
Vanessa whispered, “That’s not true.”
Rachel stood.
“Your Honor—”
The judge raised one hand.
“I want to hear the child.”
Then he looked at Jeffrey.
“What makes you believe that?”
Jeffrey swallowed.
“She asked us about it.”
“What did she ask?”
“Who owns it. Who gets it when Grandma dies. Whether Grandma put shares in our names.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I was making conversation.”
The judge looked at her.
“Ms. Reed, please do not interrupt.”
