My son and daughter-in-law laughed when I walked into the courtroom. “Ha-ha, now we’re going to leave her with nothing,” Daniel whispered, certain the bruises they had put on my body would convince the judge I was confused, unstable, and hurting myself, but they had forgotten one important thing about me hajaji.

Denied.

Completely.

He found no evidence that I lacked capacity.

He found substantial evidence that the petition may have been filed for an improper financial purpose.

Then he turned toward Daniel and Vanessa.

“This court is referring the submitted medical exhibit, power-of-attorney document, and evidence of alleged abuse to the district attorney’s office and appropriate protective-services investigators.”

Daniel stood again.

“Your Honor—”

“Sit down.”

Daniel did.

Judge Mercer continued.

“A temporary protective order will prohibit both petitioners from entering Mrs. Vance’s residence, accessing her financial accounts, contacting her financial institutions, or disposing of property removed from her residence.”

My heart hammered.

Not because I was surprised.

Because hearing the words made it real.

Daniel had lost.

But I wasn’t finished.

“Your Honor?”

Judge Mercer looked at me.

“There is one additional matter.”

Daniel laughed.

A broken sound.

“Of course there is.”

I reached beneath my chair and lifted a thin brown envelope.