Meadow sat beside me gripping my hand tightly.
The judge granted the protection order. Judith was prohibited from unsupervised contact with Meadow. Then Judge Hawthorne turned toward Dustin.
“Mr. Cromwell, your future relationship with your daughter depends on your willingness to acknowledge the harm done and participate in parenting education and therapy. You may support this protection order and begin rebuilding trust, or you may contest it and continue aligning yourself with your mother’s actions.”
Dustin looked at Meadow.
For one fragile second, I thought he might finally wake up.
Then Judith touched his sleeve.
His face closed immediately.
“I stand with my mother,” he said. “Bethany is turning my daughter against us. Family loyalty matters.”
The gavel came down.
Meadow’s fingers tightened around mine, but she never cried.
Six months later, our apartment is smaller than the house on Maple Street, but Meadow calls it our safe house.
