The judge called a recess and reviewed the unedited footage in chambers. When she came back fifteen minutes later, her face had closed completely.

Her rulings were fast and total. Temporary sole physical and legal custody to me. No direct or indirect contact between Samantha and our daughter. Gertrude and the three sisters ordered to remain five hundred yards from me, from Chloe, from her school, and from our home.

Chloe enrolled in specialized counseling. Samantha to surrender her keys to the bailiff, remove her belongings under police supervision, and preserve every digital account under threat of criminal penalty.

As it was read out, Samantha turned toward my table, the composure gone.

“Samson, please. Are you really going to take my daughter away from me?”

I squared my documents and put them in my briefcase.