Perfect posture.

Every few minutes she pressed a tissue beneath one dry eye.

“My son only wants peace,” she whispered loudly enough for half the courtroom to hear.

Peace.

That was what they called it.

Peace was Julian moving most of the money from our joint operating account two weeks before filing.

Peace was him cancelling two supplemental cards I used for groceries and Noah’s expenses.

Peace was Eleanor kneeling beside Noah and telling him:

“Mommy is confused right now.

Daddy knows what’s best.”

And beside Julian sat Chloe Bennett.

His office manager.

According to them, she was there because she had witnessed my “erratic behavior.”

According to the diamond bracelet around her wrist, she was there for another reason too.