We Lost Our Parents, But He Hasn't Lost Me

Chapter 1: The Judge's Pause

"We lost our parents, but he hasn't lost me. I can still take care of him."

The courtroom went completely silent.

Fourteen-year-old Ryan Miller stood at the witness stand with red eyes and shaking hands. His little brother, Ben, was wrapped around his waist, crying quietly into his shirt. Ben was only five. He did not understand legal words like custody, guardianship, or state care. He only understood that everyone kept talking about taking him away from Ryan.

Ryan held him tighter.

Across the room, their aunt sat with her lawyer. She had filed for custody after the boys' parents died in a car accident. On paper, she looked like the obvious choice. She had a house, a job, and no criminal record.

Ryan had nothing but a small apartment, a part-time job, and a promise.

But he knew something the court did not.

His aunt did not want Ben.

She wanted the insurance money.

The judge, Marcus Reed, looked down from the bench. He was young for a judge, but his face looked older that day. He stared at the two brothers for a long time, and his eyes were wet.

The lawyer stood. "Your Honor, emotion cannot replace stability. This boy is a minor. He cannot raise a child."

Ryan swallowed hard. "I already do."

The lawyer's eyes sharpened. "You mean you have been hiding your brother from social services?"

Ryan froze.

The judge slowly lifted the gavel.

"Based on the evidence provided..."

Ben whimpered.

Ryan closed his eyes.

Then the courtroom doors opened.

A woman rushed in, breathless, holding a folder in both hands.

"Your Honor," she said, "please wait. The evidence is incomplete."

The judge stopped.

And Ryan's aunt went pale.