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T he courthouse is colder than I remember.

Or maybe it’s just me. The nerves aren’t fear. They’re fury. Because this isn’t just a case.

This is my daughter. And I’ll be damned if I let Lauren take her from me.

Kenzie is by my side. She doesn’t say anything, just slides her fingers through mine.

A steadying touch. A reminder. She’s here. We’re in this together. I squeeze back. Take a breath. And step inside.

Marcus is already there, waiting near the courtroom doors.

“All set?” he asks.

I nod once.

Lauren arrives seconds later. And she’s smiling. Like she’s already won.

My blood boils.

Kenzie’s grip on my hand tightens.

“Let’s do this,” I mutter.

And we walk inside.

The courtroom is a battlefield. Lauren sits across from me, posture perfect, expression cool.

She’s wearing soft neutrals, minimal jewelry—the picture of a put-together, responsible mother.

I want to laugh.

Because I know the truth.

Kenzie sits beside me, quiet but unwavering.

Marcus shuffles papers, calm as ever.

Then the judge enters, and the hearing begins.

Lauren’s lawyer is first to speak.

He stands, buttoning his suit with practiced ease, and starts spinning his web.

“This case is about the well-being of a child,” he says smoothly. “Ms. Carter has provided a stable home for Olivia. She has structured routines, dedicated resources, and—most importantly—a mother’s instinct.”

My teeth grind together.

Kenzie’s fingers twitch against my thigh.

Marcus?

Marcus doesn’t even blink.

Lauren’s lawyer keeps talking.

And then—

The lie drops.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Maddox’s demanding job as a professional hockey coach prevents him from providing the necessary consistency and stability for a child. Olivia needs a primary caregiver who can be present.”

My jaw locks.

Kenzie stiffens.

But Marcus?

Marcus smirks.

Like he was waiting for this exact moment.

My fists press tight.

Lauren’s lawyer just painted me as an absent father—someone too caught up in my career to prioritize my own daughter.

But Marcus? Marcus looks downright amused.

He stands smoothly, adjusting his tie. And when he speaks, his voice is calm. Calculated. Deadly.

“Your Honor, let’s address this concern head-on,” Marcus begins, turning slightly toward me. “Mr. Maddox is not just a hockey coach—he’s a father who has structured his entire life around his daughter.”

Lauren’s lawyer doesn’t flinch.

But Lauren?

I see the slight tightening of her jaw. Because she knows what’s coming.

Marcus glances at me.

“Mr. Maddox, can you explain your work schedule?”

I clear my throat, sitting up straighter.

“I work early mornings and afternoons. Team meetings, practices, games. But I also have flexibility—I arrange my schedule to be with Olivia whenever I have her. I do school drop-offs. Pick-ups. Homework. I’m home before bedtime. Every time.”

Marcus nods approvingly.

“So you would say your career is flexible when it comes to parenting?”

I meet the judge’s gaze.

“Yes, absolutely.”

Then Marcus turns the knife.

“Your Honor, I’d like to enter Exhibit A into evidence.”

He slides a thick file across the table.

Lauren’s lawyer glances at it.

Lauren’s lips press together.

Marcus smiles.

“This is a detailed calendar of every single parenting time exchange between my client and Ms. Carter. You’ll see that despite her claims, Mr. Maddox has never missed a single scheduled weekend with his daughter. Not once.”

Lauren’s face barely flickers.

But I see it.

A tiny shift.

A crack in her mask.

Kenzie’s hand tightens on my thigh under the table.

Because we all know what that means.

Lauren?

She’s losing.

The courtroom is silent.

Lauren doesn’t move.

Her lawyer’s lips press together, eyes scanning the documents Marcus just submitted.

I can practically hear the gears turning.

Because they weren’t expecting this.

They thought they could paint me as the absent father, the one too busy chasing hockey glory to raise his own daughter.

But Marcus just ripped that argument to shreds.

Kenzie’s hand tightens on my thigh. She can feel it too. The shift. The control slipping from Lauren’s grasp.

And Lauren hates it.

Her lawyer clears his throat, recovering.

“Your Honor, while Mr. Maddox’s commitment to his daughter is commendable, we must also consider the stability of Olivia’s environment. Frequent changes between households can be disruptive for a young child.”

Lauren nods, schooling her expression.

“My daughter needs consistency,” she says smoothly. “She thrives on routine. Being shuffled back and forth isn’t in her best interest. That’s why I’m requesting full custody.”

Kenzie’s breath hitches.

My fury spikes.

Full custody. She’s going for everything.

Marcus is unfazed. He leans forward, voice calm, confident.

“Your Honor, we’d like to enter Exhibit B into evidence.”

Another file slides across the table.

Lauren’s shoulders stiffen. Because she knows what’s in there.

“This,” Marcus says, flipping the top page over, “is a collection of Olivia’s school reports. You’ll see that her teachers consistently note that she is happy, well-adjusted, and performing above average—regardless of whether she is with her mother or her father.”

Lauren’s lawyer shifts uncomfortably.

Marcus doesn’t stop.

“And this,” he continues, “is a sworn statement from Olivia’s pediatrician. Who confirms that Olivia is not only emotionally secure but thriving under the shared custody arrangement.”

I exhale slowly.

Kenzie lets out a shaky breath.

Lauren?

She finally looks nervous.

And that’s when I know.

She’s losing more than just this round.

She’s losing control.