Melinda’s POV
The courtroom was quiet.
Not silent — quiet.
The kind of quiet that comes when everyone in the room knows a line is about to be drawn, and once it is, no one can step back over it.
River sat beside me at the hearing table.
Chin up.
Hands still.
No nerves this time.
Their choice was made.
I could feel it before they even spoke.
And when the judge finally turned to them and asked, “Have you come to a decision regarding the O’Connor trust?”—
They stood.
And said, clearly:
“I don’t want their money. I don’t want their name. I want this file closed. Forever.”
The O’Connor rep didn’t even look surprised.
They just folded their hands, murmured something about “respecting the minor’s autonomy,” and quietly requested that the estate’s interest be formally withdrawn.
It
