My Son Struck Me Thirty Times at His Birthday Dinner. The Next Morning, I Sold the Mansion He Thought He Owned.

“The document you emailed to the respondent bears a forged signature.

Did you create it?”

Silence.

“I’ll rephrase.

Do you wish to consult counsel before answering?”

Kristen’s lawyer leaned over and whispered.

Her face went through several expressions and settled, finally, on none.

“I’d like to withdraw the petition,” she said.