Valeria was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. How could Connor possibly ask her to do that?

“There had to be another option!” she whispered in desperation.

“There is,” Connor replied. “It would be waiting while this drags on for months, put Alice through this same process over and over again until the judge decides in favor of one of you because of exhaustion or burnout, but maybe by then Baxter will have managed to do something to turn things in his favor. Do you understand that?”

“But—”

“Valeria, I don't want to force your decision, but you have to trust me now!” Connor looked her in the eye and took one of her hands in a gesture that made Nick's hair stand on end. “Obey me.”

The end-of-recess call sounded at that instant, and Judge Adams took her seat.

“Mr. Sheffield, do you have an answer for me yet?” he asked.

“Yes, your honor, my client would like to make a brief statement if you will allow her,” Connor replied.

“Go ahead.”

Valeria stood up without letting go of Nick'