Page 91 of Louder Than Words

“I’m trying to make a point that it’s very clear that Allison cares more about making appearances with her boyfriend than tucking her daughters in at night—”

Before the sharp sting in my throat becomes too much, I hear the sharp crack of the gavel slamming on the desk.

“Mr. Monroe, I understand and sympathize that you want what’s best for your daughters. I really do.” She suddenly turns toward my mother again. “Carol, let me ask you something. Are those two girls in distress when your daughter leaves?”

She shakes her head. “Of course not. Allie wouldn’t leave if they were.”

“And have they ever been sick during those times?”

“Nope. Never.”

Judge Steinbeck turns fully in her chair, facing my mother directly. “One last thing, Mrs. Windsor—I’m sorry, Carol—before I dismiss you. Does Allison make a habit of going out like this?”

My mother lets out a quiet, almost disbelieving laugh, and then tilts her head. “Your Honor, I had toforceAllie to go.” She pauses, and even from here, I see the tears brimming in her eyes. “When they decided the girls would stay with Trevor for the summer, she cried for weeks.Weeks. Her friends and I practically begged her to take that trip. To breathe. To reset. She didn’t want to leave them—not for one second. And then she comes back… tothis?” She pauses to glance briefly toward Trevor, then shakes her head slowly. “It isn’t right, Your Honor. It’s not fair. Allie’s a good mom. A damn good one.”

Judge Steinbeck nods once. “Thank you, Carol. You may step down.”

My mothers eyes find mine as she walks by, offering me a smile that makes me feel weightless, like everything’s going to be okay.

Unfortunately, the feeling is short-lived.

Another wave of cramps settles low in my belly like a bowling ball. I press a hand to my stomach, unable to hide the wince as the burning stretches across like a rubber band being pulled too tight.

“Next witness I’d like to call is Allison’s boss, Ashley O’Brien,” Trevor says, sounding way too pleased with himself. Even though it’s been made obvious with him questioning my mother that all of this is for nothing.

Ashley quickly makes her way to the stand, her long, platinum blonde hair swishing behind. Next thing I know, she’s sworn in and already answering something I somehow didn’t catch.

Wait.

Did I miss a whole question?

She’s got that look on her face—the scrunched-upare you serious?One she gives new nurses when they forget gloves or don’t chart at the end of the night.

So whatever Trevor asked, it was definitely stupid.

God, what did he say?

I take a deep breath and try to will the anxiety to at least simmer for five minutes so I can pay attention. But the way the room keeps tilting pretty much tells me it’s here to stay.

I close my eyes, breathing in through my nose, and out through my mouth. The burning still sits low in my belly, showing up every few minutes like a reminder that it’s not going anywhere.

Then I feel a hand on my shoulder, and my eyes snap open.

Jax leans over the banister behind me, worry written all over his face. “You alright, Al?” he asks, his voice so low I almost miss it.

My eyebrows knit together, and I nod. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I say. “Why?”

But before he can say anything, Judge Steinbeck’s voice booms behind me. “Ms. Windsor—or should I say Mrs. Owens—this isnotyour honeymoon.”

My heart lurches into my throat.

I spin around, confusion slapping me in the face when I see Nora on the stand, eyes wide. The second ours meet, she mouths,I’m so sorry.

What the hell is going on?

“You may step down, Miss Pike,” Judge Steinbeck says, her tone clipped and disapproving.

Nora waddles by me, her head down until she disappears into the small crowd behind me to take her seat.