Chapter 6 - The CourtroomEight months later, Lily stood outside the judge's chambers.
She was eight now.
She held Mr. Floppy, her stuffed rabbit, against her chest.
“You don't have to say anything you don't want to,” Daniel whispered.
“I know, Daddy.”
She looked up.
“I'm ready.”
For forty-two minutes, Daniel waited.
When the door opened, Lily ran into his arms.
“I did okay.”
He held her tightly.
“You did more than okay.”
Inside the courtroom, the judge read her testimony.
She had told him the truth.
She still loved her mother.
She missed her.
But she was afraid of her.
The judge looked at Claire.
“I have been on this bench for thirty years.”
His voice hardened.
“This child described what happened with an honesty I rarely hear from adults.”
Then came the ruling.
Daniel received sole legal and physical custody.
Claire was limited to supervised visitation.
All financial assets connected to the fraud were awarded to Daniel as restitution.
Claire's face collapsed.
Daniel looked at Lily.
She was crying.
He smiled.
“We did it, bug.”
She whispered:
“Can we get ice cream?”
May you like
For the first time in months, Daniel laughed.
“All the sprinkles.”
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