The emergency court hearing was set for a Friday morning at the Marion County Courthouse in downtown Indianapolis, room 5B.

The courtroom was packed with onlookers and lawyers. I arrived early out of professional habit, and Kenneth was already there with three large binders and a cup of black coffee.

“Are you ready for this, Kirsten?” Kenneth asked as I sat down next to him.

“No, I don’t think I am,” I replied honestly.

He smiled gently. “Good, because people who enjoy days like this usually have serious problems.”

At exactly 9:03 a.m., Connor entered the courtroom looking genuinely broken. Gone was the arrogance, the smug smile, the absolute confidence. Melinda followed several steps behind him, looking entirely exhausted, and neither of them appeared to have slept in days.