Conflicted (The Existing Series Book 2) by A.M. Guilliams

without a judge dictating it all. But then again, I never thought she’d walk out of Grace’s life either. It was funny how I thought I knew everything about her when it was becoming more and more apparent that I never knew her at all.
    We were instructed to rise as the judge entered the room and we both complied. I looked over at Mackenzie and took her in for just a moment. She looked pale. Distraught. Like she’d aged tremendously since I’d seen her last. Something was ailing her and I wanted to know what it was. What made her leave our little miracle? But I couldn’t ask that anymore. I tried. She denied me the explanation. Maybe one day she’d come out and tell me. Maybe I’d never know. But the only thing that was certain was that I would be both mother and father to Grace. Someone she’d never question would leave her.
    The judge looked over the court documents that we’d both signed. As he turned from page to page, the door opened and I turned to see who entered. A young man with a briefcase entered and walked over to Mackenzie’s side of the courtroom.
    “My apologies for my tardiness, Your Honor. I had another case that ran over on the third floor,” he said as he sat down at the table beside her.
    “I’m looking over the petitions that your office filed one last time before I begin,” the judge stated without looking up.
    I couldn’t take my eyes off of them as they whispered back and forth to each other. I’d love to know what they were discussing. Seeing as how said discussion pertained to the welfare of our child.
    “Are you ready to proceed, Mr. Garringer?” the judge asked.
    “Yes, Your Honor. We’re ready.”
    “Your office petitioned and filed to have the rights of Ms. Campbell relinquished and for full sole custody to be awarded to the father, Mr. Corbin. Is that correct?” the judge asked.
    “Yes, Your Honor. Ms. Campbell understands the severity of her actions and wishes to relinquish her parental rights. As I disclosed there are circumstances that warrant these proceedings,” her lawyer confirmed.
    What circumstances would justify her giving up our child?
    “I’ve read over all of the documents. However, I take relinquishing rights very seriously. Regardless of the circumstances, I need to hear the confirmation from Ms. Campbell as well as ask questions to Mr. Corbin before I make my ruling.”
    That I understood. But I wished someone would tell me what the hell her reasoning behind this was. Apparently, I was the only one out of the damn loop. My fists curled in my lap, and I bit down on the inside of my lip from making a sudden outburst. I had to keep my cool. I couldn’t allow the judge to see my emotions. I’d save that for the damn punching bag later.
    He cleared his throat and made some notes before he began his questioning. My ears began to ring and my heart began to pound at what could possibly be revealed.
    “Ms. Campbell, do you understand that when you sign your rights away you have no legal standing to your child? That you can’t legally come back into her life or make any decisions regarding any portion of her life?” the judge asked as he crossed his hands together to wait for her response.
    Mackenzie stood and I saw her tremble, but she caught herself on the table before anyone else in the room noticed. But it didn’t get past me.
    “I do, Your Honor. I’ve thought relentlessly about my decision and it’s the only one that I can make. I’m not fit to be her mother, and I want to ensure that she’s taken care of. That legally Mr. Corbin has all the documentation that he needs regarding her welfare,” she answered.
    Mr. Corbin. When did I resort to that? Even in a professional manner, she could’ve called me by my name. It was informal. Emotionless.
    The judge nodded his head and jotted down more notes. My leg had a mind of its own and began bouncing to ward off the nervous energy that had started to consume my entire body. I was next to be questioned.