Chapter 24: Done Waiting

Brett's lawyer told the judge that June's help proved I could not raise Theo.

Brett watched the judge while his lawyer used my family's support against me.

June held Theo near the back of the courtroom. His grandmother stood beside her, and Brett's former employees sat behind them.

Wes sat beside me. He kept his hands on his knees and let me choose what I needed.

My fingers cramped around the envelope inside my bag.

The folded edge pressed into my palm.

The judge looked at me.

'Ms. Lowry, you may answer.'

'I'm grateful June helped me,' I said. 'She held Theo when I needed rest. I fed him, changed him, and cared for him every day.'

Brett's lawyer stood and rested one hand on the table.

'Could you manage without your sister beside you?'

June's place in Theo's life had become the lawyer's proof against me.

I looked at the judge. 'Theo deserves every person who loves him. I'm still his mother.'

The lawyer turned toward June.

'Who takes over when you are tired, sick, or need to work?'

'My sister helps when I ask. I make sure Theo is cared for, and I have done that every day.'

Brett kept watching the judge.

He wanted June's love to sound like my failure.

I would not deny the help that had kept us going.

The judge lowered his pen.

'Mr. Hadley, did you bet cash that your wife had nowhere to go?'

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