speaking quietly into his ear.
“Can we go home now, Mommy?” Mateo asked, turning toward me.
I pressed my hands together, struggling to contain my emotions. “Yes, baby. We’re going home soon.”
After the children were escorted back to the playroom, Julian’s attorney requested a ten-minute recess so he could speak privately with his client.
When they returned, Julian’s earlier confidence had disappeared. His attorney stood and announced that his client was formally withdrawing his request for sole custody and would agree that primary physical custody would remain with the mother, with visitation subject to court supervision.
Julian turned abruptly toward his lawyer. “I didn’t agree to that!”
“Mr. Lopez, I am advising you as your legal counsel to accept this arrangement while the circumstances surrounding your daughter’s injury are being formally reviewed,” his attorney replied firmly enough for the bench to hear.
Julian slowly settled back into
