Amber
I heard gasps. Felt every stare pierce through me.
Robert didn’t wait.
“And there you have it!” He announced triumphantly. “She admits it. Out of her own mouth. She denied a child her father. She let her grow up without the emotional support, the discipline, and the presence of a stable Alpha figure—because her pride was hurt. This wasn’t protection. It was punishment.”
He stepped forward. “Miss Queen’s selfishness has already damaged this child. And now she wants the court to let her continue the damage unchecked? At what cost to Evalie’s development? Her future? Her identity?”
I wanted to scream. To cry. To collapse and disappear.
But Ichika squeezed my hand.
I looked down. Her grip was firm. Unshakable. You’re not alone, it said.
Robert sat back, oozing victory.
Ina rose again.
“Your Honor,” she said, her voice like flint, “I request permission to speak.”
“Granted.”
Ina faced the court like a queen facing her people.
“Miss Queen had good reason to withhold Evalie’s identity fr
