Diane's POV
Two weeks had passed since the home evaluation, and today was the day I'd been both dreading and anticipating—the final custody hearing. I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, adjusting the white blazer I'd chosen for court. Professional, authoritative, but not cold. I needed the judge to see me as the capable mother I'd become, not the broken woman I'd once been.
My hands shook slightly as I fastened my pearl earrings—the ones Noah had given me for our six-month anniversary. They felt like a talisman, a reminder of the love and stability I'd built for myself and my children.
"You've got this," I whispered to my reflection, taking a deep breath. "Dylan and Danielle need you to be strong today."
