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“I’ve reached a decision Will the parties please rise?”

Chelsie Russell eased back her chair and rose to her feet, scrutinizing the white-haired judge who held her niece’s fete in his hands She didn’t dare look at her mother and father seated to her left She could barely face their lies and manipulations For the first time in her life, Chelsie wanted to lose a case

Representing her parents had been a foolish undertaking rief-filled circuuilt for things not done, acute Having grown up in their home, she should have known herchild

The judge cleared his throat “Rendering a decision between family is never easy” He turned towards Griffin Stuart, a ed in ways she’d never intended “You lost a brother in that car accident,” the judge said

Griffin nodded Chelsie sed over the lu features, the resemblance to her niece was unmistakable So was his devotion His earlier testies of the scarred wooden table

The judge turned towards Chelsie’s parents “And you lost a daughter,” he said with cohter is understandable Admirable even, but not at someone else’s expense”

Chelsie agreed She hadn’t known her parents would breach the boundaries of fairness to obtain what they wanted She only wished she had known They all would have been spared this ordeal

The judge continued “No one benefits by lying and deceit Nor will it gain you the result you seek As a result, I hereby award full and permanent custody to the child’s uncle, Griffin Stuart, with liberal visitation rights granted to the Russells, who I hope have learned froavel “Court is adjourned”

It was over Chelsie laid her head in her hands as her parents stormed out of the room without a word

Alone in the hallway, Chelsie leaned against the ht silk blouse, the cold stone chilled her back and she shivered Despite her relief over the outcos for Griffin Stuart mandated she attempt to make amends

She wondered if he’d even listen Having avoided fas with Griffin had been limited to professional affairs They would pass one another at bar-related functions with a friendly nod and an occasional exchange of pleasantries At ti look, but knew she had to be iven hilance of her own, her chosen lifestyle left no room for any man, especially one whose ties to her family drew her into an emotional minefield

And now? They’d have to be civil for Alix’s sake Thanks to the judge’s ruling, Griff couldn’t deny her or her parents visitation, but she no longer expected hih His reputation labeled him as a formidable attorney with a quick teiven half a chance

“Tough ?”

Chelsie recognized that deep voice Apparently, the endless day wasn’t over yet “More than you can iaze

Hazel eyes blazed with unspoken anger and his blatant disgust charged the air around hiazed upon her with friendly war her with disdain, she regretted the change But she

She understood Griffin’s contee hiotten over the shock of losing his brother when she’d served him with custody papers

She’d nearly cost him his niece, the only family he had left, and Chelsie knew that pain firsthand She was inti someone precious “I just”