Page 77 of Louder Than Words

Maybe she’s starting to see the pattern.

I blink back the tears trying to break free. “Not whatsoever, Your Honor,” I choke out.

“Let me hear your side.”

I swipe my thumb under my eye and start. “When I was on vacation, Mr. Monroe asked me not to call. He said it was messing with the girls since they weren’t used to being away from me. But I still called. Every time, the girls were either asleep, or he just didn’t answer.” I pause, taking a steadying breath. “And as far as Halloween, Your Honor, that was Trevo—” I pinch my eyes closed —“Mr. Monroe’s night with the girls.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Do you have any proof? Phone records? Text messages? Anything?”

I stammer. “I—I only have their word.” I gesture behind me at Ana and Jax.

Judge Reinbeck offers a tight-lipped smile. There’s a flicker of warmth there, but it doesn’t make me feel any better.

Before she can respond, Trevor cuts in. “What about him punching an old dude in a bar?” he blurts.

My face flushes hot. Not with embarrassment. Or hurt. Just pure anger.

Judge Reinbeck raises an eyebrow at me, then glances down at the paperwork on her desk. She pulls one sheet out, scans it quickly, and her eyes snap back to me.

And any warmth she had? Gone.

“And how about this one, Ms. Windsor?”

I straighten, taking a deep, steadying breath—though it does little to actually calm me.

“That was a family matter,” I say quietly.

Her eyebrows knit together as she sets the papers down and leans forward on her bench. “And does Mr. Owens make it a habit to make these… family matters physical?”

I stammer. “No, of course not. He’s a good man, Your Honor. I wouldn’t allow him near my daughters if he was violent.”

Trevor’s scoffing laugh cuts through the air, and rage floods through me like wildfire.

I whip around to face him, words spilling out faster than I can control. “At least he doesn’t put his hands on the mother of his children, Trevor,” I spit before I even realize what’s happening. My eyes pinch shut, but even with them closed I can feel the sudden shift in the room. Like nobody dares to make a noise.

“Ms. Windsor, that’s a dangerous allegation to put on Mr. Monroe,” Judge Reinbeck says, shock seeping into her voice.

Tears well in my eyes again—but this time, they win. One slips free, trailing silently down my cheek.

I shake my head. “It’s not an allegation, Your Honor,” I admit, almost wishing I could rewind the last five seconds. I don’t want to see Trevor go to jail or anything… I just panicked.

Judge Reinbeck’s eyebrows knit together as she watches me quietly. I slowly shrug off the cardigan I’d been wearing and pullup my sleeve—revealing the now orange-green bruise that wraps around my bicep.

“That’s bullshit,” Trevor snaps, but his eyes flick nervously around the room.

“Do you have any witnesses, Ms. Windsor?”

That question breaks me. Every tear I was holding back spills free while I nod. “Our daughter, Charlotte,” I say, my voice breaking.

Judge Reinbeck studies me for a moment. “Has this happened in the past?” she asks, her tone softened now, almost gentle.

I start to shake my head—but then I hear Ana push to her feet behind me.

“Allie, don’t you dare try to lie,” she snaps. “You’re under oath. Do not protect him right now.”

I let out a shaky breath. “It’s only happened once before,” I admit, my body starting to tremble. “When we broke up. It was just that one time.” I pause, swallowing the lump in my throat. “He’s never hit me, though. Or anything like that.”

Judge Reinbeck shakes her head slowly. “Sweetheart, it doesn’t matter if he kicked you, punched you, grabbed you—it doesn’t matter.” Her voice softens, but it’s still firm. “No one should be putting their hands on you. Don’t downplay it.”