Page 179 of Silver Fox Puck

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.

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