“No. I’m not.”

Barrett looked up, surprised.

“He loves Wyatt and Emmett,” I went on. “He takes them to baseball games when his schedule allows. He knows Emmett likes his pancakes without syrup, though he forgets that Wyatt gets terrible anxiety before school speaking events.

He isn’t a monster. But he’s been far more focused on winning this case than on protecting his sons.”

Wyatt lowered his head. Barrett looked over at him with a sudden, deep flush of guilt.

Part 5 — What the Records Opened

Judge Lawson didn’t issue a permanent custody ruling that afternoon. She ordered that the boys remain with me during the school week, with Barrett taking alternating weekends and one midweek dinner.