Patrick sat across from us and right next to him was a woman named Tiffany Rhodes who worked at his office and wore expensive clothes. I realized in that moment that she was the real reason for our family falling apart because the affair was no longer a secret.
The judge was a man named Raymond Sullivan who had silver hair and the kind of steady eyes that children usually trust immediately. The legal arguments began and Patrick’s lawyer painted him as a devoted and perfect parent while making me look like a failure.
They called me emotionally volatile and said that I was potentially harmful to my own daughter because of my stress. My voice cracked when I tried to defend myself because my hands were shaking and the opposing lawyer used my fear against me.
“Your Honor, Mr. Miller is only seeking primary custody to provide a more stable household for this child,” the attorney stated firmly to the room. “Excuse me, but I have something important to say,” a small voice suddenly interrupted the proceedings before the lawyer could finish.