That honesty made it possible to remain beside her.

“I wanted something in my life that he couldn’t turn into a verdict about me,” I said.

Sophie nodded slowly.

Before she could answer, a man near the ballroom recognized Adrian and said his name.

Judge Weston, a professional acquaintance attending the reception, gave him a brief greeting.

“Mr. Reyes.”

“Judge Weston.”

That was all.