RELEASE MY FATHER, AND I’LL RELEASE YOU.

Hope takes a step forward. She is small, soaked, her sneakers leaving wet prints on the courtroom floor, but in that moment she feels larger than everyone else in the room.

“You said my daddy lies,” she says. “But you’re the one who lies.”

A ripple of sound moves through the spectators. I feel my chest tighten, tears stinging my eyes. I don’t even realize I’m standing until I am.

The bailiff hesitates.

“I said now!” the judge roars.