The moment hung heavily in the air, like the pause between thunder and lightning. My heart was a frantic drumbeat in my chest as I waited for Zaden to respond. I knew how much pressure he must have felt, being just a child in a world of adult decisions and courtroom jargon. His small shoulders seemed to bear the weight of this pivotal moment.
Zaden shifted slightly, his fingers fumbling with the phone in his hand. He cleared his throat, a small but determined sound that echoed through the quiet room. “Can I play something for you, Your Honor?” he asked, his voice steady but tinged with the innocence only a child can carry.
The judge raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “What is it you want to show us, Zaden?”
Zaden glanced at me, and I offered a weak, supportive smile, praying silently that whatever he was about to reveal wouldn’t backfire. He unlocked his phone with a swift movement, scrolling through until he found what he was looking for.
“Last night,” Zaden began, “my dad and I talked. He said I should say I wanted to live with him. He was really mad when I said I didn’t want to.” He paused, looking directly at the judge. “He said…well, it’s better if you hear it.”
