Alive by Court Order

Elise got her name back in a courthouse basement over a bad video feed and a judge who looked angry at mortality itself.

There was no ceremony. No paper crown. The clerk emailed a temporary identity restoration order, and Theo printed it at the station because Elise wanted to hold proof that did not vanish when a screen refreshed.

She read the order twice.

Claire watched from the doorway. "How does it feel?"

"Like getting a house key after someone burned the house."

Claire nodded. "That sounds right."

For a minute, neither sister reached for old weapons.

"I am sorry," Claire said.

"For which part?"

"The signature. The forms. Believing Martin when it was easier. Letting Mother decide what truth June could handle."

Elise folded the order. "That apology has a lot of floors."

"I know."

June appeared behind her. "Are you done apologizing? Because the county woman says I need a safe adult at the dinner, and apparently all my adults are under review."

Claire flinched.

Elise looked at June. "Ruby?"

"Under review by me."

"Theo?"

"Fired."

Theo called from the printer. "Still adult."

June considered him. "Provisional."

Elise felt a laugh rise and break in the middle. It felt dangerous, almost disrespectful, then necessary.

Roslyn entered with garment bags donated by Greta, who had decided evidence work required tailoring. "No one is wearing police-station clothes to a donor ambush."

"You approve now?" Elise asked.

"No. I am adapting to your condition."

"What condition?"

"Chronic refusal."

Elise took a black dress from the bag. In the mirror, she had a bruise on one cheek, a sling under the fabric, and a court order in her purse saying she was alive.

Her phone buzzed.

Meridian Mutual HR had sent a reinstatement packet.

The subject line read: Return from bereavement leave.

Elise laughed then, hard enough to hurt.

She was done returning quietly from anything.