The judge closes her eyes, then opens them slowly. “I’ll allow it. Proceed.”

Kelly sinks back into her chair with a frustrated sigh.

Joyce inclines her head in thanks, then presses play again.

The room comes alive again: Mickey and Angie dart around the table. Angie’s laugh rings bright; Mickey chases her with childish glee. Then he catches sight of Tina at the threshold—his face radiates pure light. He breaks into a delighted shout of “TT!” and dashes to her side.

Tina kneels, brushing a kiss across Angie’s curls before opening her arms to Mickey. He barrels into her embrace, tiny arms flung around her neck. She lifts him and holds him close as his laughter peals through the air.

“Hey, sweetheart… how was school today?” Tina’s voice is soft as down.

Mickey points solemnly to a small, bright bandage on his knee. “I needed a Band-Aid. the ground hit me…”

Tina gasps dramatically. “Oh, horrible ground!” She scrunches her nose and playfully stomps. “Humph. How dare it do such a thing!”

Mickey laughs.

Tina presses two kisses to her fingertips, then taps the tiny dressing. “How’s that feel?”

Mickey beams and nods. “Better.”

“Good…” Tina’s eyes soften. “What else happened today?”

She steps toward the table. Mickey launches into an animated account of scraped elbows and playground triumphs, his head resting on Tina’s shoulder. She wraps an arm around him, cradling his small frame. The camera lingers on his unguarded joy, then settles on Tina’s serene, protective smile. The image freezes there, light haloing her contented face.

Joyce leans back, tapping a nail against her lip. She clicks her tongue in feigned disdain. “What a bitch,” she mutters, sarcasm dripping from each word.

Kelly shoots upright, color flushing her cheeks. “Your Honor—”

The judge’s warning voice cuts through the tension. “Careful Counselor.” Then, addressing Michelle Adams-Porter, she nods. “You may step down, Mrs. Adams-Porter.”

Michelle slides out of the witness chair and returns to her seat beside her counsel.

Joyce bows her head in apology to the bench, then lifts it again, expression resolute. “Your Honor, if I may be permitted to continue.”

The judge nods once. “Proceed.”