Elise—my former best friend. Elise, who used to sit on my kitchen floor with a glass of wine and call my son her nephew. Elise, who now wore Daniel’s hand on her shoulder like a prize.

Judge Marlowe looked exhausted. Divorce court had a way of draining the air out of every room. “Mrs. Hale, your attorney withdrew last week. You understand you may request a continuance.”

“No, Your Honor,” I said.

Daniel let out a soft laugh. “Still pretending to be strong.”

Voss turned back to the judge. “Mrs. Hale has repeatedly delayed these proceedings with unsupported accusations. Hidden accounts. Fraud. Coercion. None of it proven.”