There was a pause, and then Zaden replied in the recording, his voice small and uncertain, “But I like living with Mom. I don’t want to lie.”

The next words from Damian were sharper, more insistent. “You think she can give you what you need? You’ll regret it if you don’t do this. Trust me.”

The recording ended, leaving a stark silence in its wake. The judge’s face had hardened, his eyes moving from the phone to Damian, who now seemed to have diminished, his earlier bravado shrinking away. The courtroom held its breath, waiting for the judge’s response.