The Judge Saw Through Her

As the Quinns shared photos and videos of their joyful moments with Olive, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy. They were everything a child could dream of—kind, loving, and supportive. Yet, a gnawing dissatisfaction simmered inside her that could not be ignored. Olive assumed the hearing was nearly over and the judge would soon give her approval.

But the judge had been observing the girl closely throughout. She noticed the girl’s restless fidgeting, the way her gaze kept dropping to her shoes, and the nervous energy that filled her every movement. The judge’s expression grew thoughtful, her eyes fixed on Olive as if she were piecing something together.