Page 44 of Anatomy of Us

Yvonne approaches.

“State your name and occupation for the record.”

“Dr. Tessa Marie Clark. Head of Sports Medicine for the Seattle Emeralds soccer club.”

“Did you work with Ms. Méndez on her postpartum rehabilitation?”

“Yes. I supervised the first ten weeks before I removed myself from her case due to a conflict of interest.”

“Explain that conflict, please,” Yvonne says, exactly as we rehearsed.

“Ms. Méndez and I have a personal relationship,” I answer, maybe too quietly.

“What kind of relationship?”

“Romantic.”

Yvonne pauses a beat too long. Nate folds his arms.

“Do you spend time with Wesley?”

“Yes. I’ve helped care for him. Baths, meals, routines.”

“How would you describe Ms. Méndez as a mother?”

I look straight at the judge.

“She’s an exceptional mother. She would die for her child,” I say without hesitation. “I see every day that Wes comes first. Zoe Méndez plans every minute around him. He never goes without. He’s always cared for.”

When Yvonne finishes, Matthew Harrington stands. Slow. Like a predator. Smiling.

“Dr. Clark. You testified you have a romantic relationship.”

“Yes.”

“When did it begin?”

“About two months ago.”

“Was there a prior relationship?”

“Yes. Seven years ago,” I admit, and I can already see where he’s going.

“What happened?”

Yvonne rises.

“Objection. Relevance.”

“Your Honor, I’m establishing a pattern of instability,” Harrington says.

The judge nods once.

“Overruled. Answer the question.”

“It ended when I accepted a job in Munich.”

“Did you end it?”