I will not pretend it erased what happened or made me feel safe overnight.

Its importance was that the abuse was no longer merely a secret argued about in our kitchen.

A family court later entered a more detailed parenting order based on the circumstances then before it.

I followed it carefully, documenting exchanges and speaking through counsel when concerns arose.

Colton’s relationship with Theo would be shaped by his conduct over time, not by his surname alone.

Meanwhile I returned to part-time design work.