(Richard's POV)
Frosting blurred one eye. *Madam Chief Justice.* The words made no sense. Eleanor spent her days arranging Leo’s toys by color and humming lullabies.
She could not be a judge. This had to be political theater staged to humiliate me.
I tried to fit the title onto the woman who handled school pickups and kept Leo’s routines. My mind rejected it each time.
An agent hauled me to my feet. Buttercream coated my custom-tailored suit. I searched the room for an ally, but every familiar face turned away.
People who had toasted me minutes earlier would no longer meet my eyes.
“You have no right to do this!” My voice cracked. “I am Richard Sterling. I will have your jobs for this! I will call the governor!”
The agent released my arm. I stumbled, then grabbed for my phone. They
