Michelle’s lips part, then close. Her voice is a whisper. “No.”

“Did you express concern at that time about the emotional attachment your son might form?”

Michelle shifts in her seat, the leather squeaking. “No.”

Joyce strolls back over to the witness stand, locking eyes with Michelle. “And where is that woman now?”

Michelle’s voice cracks as she answers. “She transferred schools. We don’t speak.”

Joyce tilts her chin. “So, your son formed attachments to a person who was frequently in his life—and then that person vanished entirely. A scenario you yourself facilitated.”

Kelly leaps to her feet again. “Objection—argumentative!”

The judge shakes his head. “Overruled.”

Joyce’s voice ripples through the courtroom like a blade. “Yet today, you ask this court to restrict my client’s custodial rights because her long-term partner, who has demonstrated consistency, care, and emotional bonding, is present in your son’s life.” She pauses, taking a single step back. “Isn’t it true, Mrs. Adams-Porter, that your objection is not about instability—but about jealousy?”

Michelle’s jaw clenches. “No.”

“Then why did you wait so long to voice your concerns? In fact, wasn’t it you who urged Ms. Porter to make peace with Ms. Kennard, so your son could finally meet and get to know his older sister? Isn’t it true that you all, as a family, went and had dinner at Ms. Kennard’s home?”

Michelle shifts uncomfortably, the soles of her shoes scraping the floor. “Yes, but—”

Joyce interrupts her. “All I needed was a ‘yes.’ Thank you, Ms. Adams—”

“It’s Adams-Porter,” Michelle interrupts, cheeks flushing.

Joyce’s lips curve into a polite smile. “I’m so sorry, it keeps slipping my mind… But indulge me: why is it so important for you to make that distinction?”

“Because it’s my name,” Michelle says, voice cracking with quiet pride.

Joyce’s smile doesn’t waver. “Right… but it’s also because you’re still in love with your ex-wife, correct?”

Michelle shrugs, her voice small but steady. “I don’t think it’s surprising to anyone that I still love Bette very much.”

Joyce chuckles, a low, confident sound. She glances at a colleague in the back row and gives a subtle nod. “You sure aren’t. As a matter of fact, you made quite a scene when you showed up unannounced at my client’s home the day before you filed this frivolous claim…”