Margaret laughed, a sharp, ugly sound that broke the tension. “Judge? Are you blind, officer? This woman doesn’t even have a job. She spends my son’s hard-earned money while living under his roof like a parasite. Arrest her! She just assaulted me and tried to steal my daughter’s baby!”
Chief Ruiz didn’t even look at her. He stepped past Margaret, his boots clicking heavily against the linoleum, and gently took Noah from her stunned grasp. He laid my crying son back into the bassinet beside his sister, then turned to face me, bowing his head slightly.
“Your Honor, I am so incredibly sorry,” Ruiz said, his voice laced with absolute reverence. “I served as the bailiff in your circuit court for three years before taking this post. I know exactly who you are.”
He turned sharply to his officers. “Secure the room. Do not let this woman move a single inch.”
Margaret’s arrogant posture shattered. Her jaw dropped so low I thought it might detach. “Your Honor? Circuit court? What nonsense is this? Ethan!” she shrieked, turning toward the door as my husband finally ran into the room, gasping for breath, carrying a tray of coffees.
“Ethan, thank God!” Margaret cried, trying to push past the guard blocking her. “Your lunatic wife has hired actors! She’s having me arrested! Tell these people who she really is!”
