“The paperwork for voluntary relinquishment is prepared,” Garrett added, his voice trembling. “I am ready to sign it today.”
Rebecca broke protocol and asked quietly, “Are you just giving up?”
Garrett looked at her and replied, “I am stepping aside.”
He turned slightly toward the back of the courtroom and said, “I asked them to come because I wanted witnesses that this decision is mine and not the result of pressure.”
Murmurs softened into attentive silence as the bailiff lowered his hand from his radio.
Judge Hodge spoke clearly. “Mr. Sloan, if you relinquish your parental rights today, the decision will be permanent unless this court orders otherwise. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Garrett answered, his voice cracking.
“And you wish to proceed?”
He looked at Avery, and she met his gaze with a mixture of confusion and dawning awareness.
“Yes,” he said.
The air grew heavier, not gentler, because the room understood that this was not a father fighting to win but a father choosing to let go.