The Judge Notices Something

While the Quinns were sharing photos and videos brimming with laughter and love, Olive felt her anxiety spike. On paper, they were the perfect family—exactly the kind anyone would dream of. Yet, beneath the surface, she sensed a disconnect, a missing piece that didn’t quite fit. No longer could she ignore the unease bubbling inside her.

Everybody thought the hearing would finish quickly, convinced Ana and Owen had painted an ideal picture for the court. But the judge, sharp-eyed and observant, caught Olive’s fidgeting and her tendency to avoid eye contact. It was clear to him that there was more beneath her quiet exterior than anyone had noticed.