The Moment She Found Strength

By the time she finished speaking, the judge had a clear understanding of the situation. She praised Olive for her bravery and encouraged her to be honest when they returned to the courtroom. “If you can share your true feelings, everything else will fall into place,” the judge assured her. For the first time in a long while, she felt calm.

The judge’s words stuck with her—if the Quinns couldn’t embrace her emotions, they weren’t the right family for her. Olive took a deep breath, letting that reassurance guide her. When the hearing resumed, she walked into the room to speak her truth.