The room went dead silent.

“He promised me a car when I turn 16 if I chose him. He gave us the puppy yesterday so we’d pick him.”

Liam jumped up too. “Dad said we wouldn’t have to see our ‘boring’ Mom anymore if we lived with him.”

“Objection,” Adam’s lawyer barked.

But the judge leaned forward. “Did anyone tell you to say this?”

“No,” they answered in unison. Sophie added, “Mom told us to say what’s in our hearts.”

The judge nodded. “So—who do you want to live with?”

“Mom,” they both said.

The judge turned to Adam, fury in his eyes. “This court will not tolerate manipulation or bribery. Custody remains with their mother. Proper child support will be enforced.”

Outside, Sophie whispered, “Did I do the right thing? I don’t want Dad to hate me.”

“You were braver than most adults,” I told her, hugging them both tight.

In the weeks after, word spread through Adam’s wealthy family. His mother, horrified at the scandal, cut him off entirely. His mansion, inheritance, and lifestyle vanished overnight. The girlfriend left. He even tried to reclaim Liam’s PS5, but I refused.

Now he sees the kids only rarely. They still miss him, and I hope he learns to be the father they deserve. But he’ll never use them as pawns again.