Page 112 of Redeeming Melodies

"I've tried so hard to shield Tommy from all this." Dabbed her eyes delicate as a painting. "The erratic behavior, the constant changes. Do you know what it's like, trying to explain toyour child why his father suddenly moved away? Why he's living with... with"

The pause spoke volumes. Made my blood boil.

"With who, Ms. Price?” Matthews prompted gentle as a snake.

"With another man." The words dripped judgment. "In some small town where Tommy has no friends, no opportunities, nothing we've worked so hard to give him."

Bullshit. Pure bullshit.

Cassidy’s cross examination cut through some of Vanessa's act. Made her admit the revolving door of nannies. The missed school events while she attended charity galas. The way Anderson had moved in barely a month after our separation.

Then it was my turn.

The witness stand felt like a racing seat - confined, exposed, everything riding on performance. But this wasn't a race. This was Tommy's future.

Cassidy started easy. My racing career. My dedication to Tommy. The decision to leave it all behind.

"Why Oakwood Grove?" She asked, building foundation.

"Because it was real." The truth came easy. "No cameras, no pressure. Just a place where Tommy could be himself. Where we could build something that mattered."

Sterling came at me hard in cross. Every question designed to make me look unstable, reckless.

"This relationship with Sheriff Thompson." His smile turned predatory. "Rather sudden, wasn't it? Another impulsive decision?"

Before I could answer, the courtroom doors swung open.

And there he was.

Jake. Looking battered but beautiful in his suit. Those steady brown eyes finding mine like magnets finding true north.

Everything shifted. Settled. Because there stood everything I'd been trying to explain.

"No." My voice came stronger now. "Nothing impulsive about it. Jake showed me what real strength looks like. What family actually means."

"And you think exposing your son to this lifestyle"

"I think exposing my son to love is the most important thing I can do." Cut him off clean. "Whether that's teaching him to be himself without shame, or showing him that family comes in all forms."

"Even forms that might confuse or damage him?"

"The only thing damaging my son is watching his mother use him as a weapon." The words came fierce, protective. "Jake's shown him more real care in months than Anderson has since moving in. Taught him about courage, about standing up for what's right."

Everyone gasped when Anderson was mentioned. And just by looking at him, he was furious.

"So you admit your relationship influences your son?"

"Damn right it does." Met the judge's eyes direct. "Shows him that love doesn't have to be perfect to be real. That family is about who stays, who fights for you. Not who looks best in society photos."

Sterling’s face went tight. Hit a nerve there.

"Your Honor." He started, but I wasn't done.

"My son deserves better than performance. Better than walking on eggshells trying to be perfect. He deserves pancake mornings and treehouse plans and people who love him exactly as he is."

Silence fell heavy. Caught Jake's eyes again, found strength there. Pride. Something deeper we hadn't named yet.

"Thank you, Mr. Blue." The judge's voice carried something like approval. "You may step down."

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