In none of those practice runs had she ever said anything honest.

The judge awarded me full temporary custody and ordered an evaluation for Brandi, including treatment for gambling.

Any contact with Finn would be supervised until the court decided otherwise.

Out in the hallway afterward, Brandi grabbed my sleeve.

I stared at her hand until she let go.

“I’m not asking for your forgiveness,” she said.

“Good,” I said.

“I just wanted you to know that I read the notes.