A Judge’s Unexpected Approach

The judge recognized that Olive’s voice was the most important in the room. Her guarded answers so far revealed her unease, so he shifted his approach. His tone softened as he leaned forward slightly, ensuring she felt heard rather than judged.

Gently, he reassured Olive that she wasn’t in any kind of trouble. He told her this was her chance to speak freely about her feelings toward the Quinns and the idea of joining their family for good. The unexpected openness caught Olive off guard. She hadn’t anticipated being invited to share her unfiltered thoughts, and for a second, she hesitated.