Chapter Twenty-Four
Evie
I pulled into my driveway, and the slippery ice beneath my tires made it feel more like a skating rink than pavement.
The house looked the same as it always did—cozy and inviting, like the sanctuary I’d built for Hayden and myself.
As I climbed out of the truck, the chill in the air nipped at my skin. I wrapped my coat tighter around me and glanced toward the mailbox. I hadn’t checked it today, and the thought of another envelope sitting there, another blow waiting to be dealt, made my stomach churn.
Not today.
I’d get the mail later.
Inside, the warmth of the house soothed me, but it did little to ease the tension coiling in my belly.
Our loyal rescue dog, Lance, trotted up to greet me, his tail wagging enthusiastically.
“Hey, boy,” I murmured, kneeling to scratch behind his ears. “At least you’re always happy to see me.”
He licked my hand, and his tail wagged harder in agreement. I headed to the kitchen. The house was too quiet with Hayden at school, and it left too much room for my thoughts to spiral.
I grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured myself a cup of coffee from the pot I’d brewed earlier. The warmth seeped into my hands as I leaned against the counter, staring blankly out the window. By nightfall, I’d be climbing the walls with all this caffeine, but right now, it felt like a lifeline.
Two hours.
I’d left the message for my attorney two hours ago, and still nothing.
I set the mug down and anxiously tapped my fingers against the countertop.
Normally, he was quick to respond, always on top of things.
But today? Radio silence.
I’d rehearsed what I was going to say a dozen times before I called and left a voicemail. I also sent him an email with a photo of the documents. I still couldn’t believe I had to utter the words.
“I got the papers today. Custody. He’s... he’s trying to take Hayden.” The words had felt foreign and wrong, rolling off my tongue. It felt like someone else’s nightmare. I shook myself out of it and sighed.
But the waiting was unbearable. My attorney knew how important this was. Why wasn’t he calling me back?
I glanced at my phone on the counter and willed it to light up with his name.
Nothing.
With a sigh, I picked it up and scrolled through my recent calls, tempted to leave another message.
Lance let out a soft bark, pulling me from my thoughts. He stood by the back door, his head tilted expectantly.
“Yeah, okay,” I said, setting the phone down and grabbing his leash. “Let’s get some air.”
Outside, the cold was sharper than a few minutes earlier. The wind cut across the yard as Lance trotted ahead of me. The movement helped. The simple act of walking grounded me in a way nothing else had today.
But even as I tried to focus on my surroundings, my mind circled back to the same place.
What was I going to do?
I couldn’t lose Hayden. The thought was unbearable. He was my whole world, my reason for everything. The idea of sharing him with a man who’d done so much harm made my blood boil.
Not because I didn’t want this stranger to suddenly take away my world, but because I knew what kind of man he was and why I had to leave. He wasn’t doing this because he missed his son. No, there was an ulterior motive to all this. I just couldn’t fathom what it was.
And yet, the legal documents sitting on my table said otherwise. They said he had a claim, a right to Hayden’s life, even if he’d never earned it.
By the time I got back to the house, my fingers were numb, and Lance was happily trotting along, oblivious to my turmoil. I unclipped his leash and let him wander toward his water bowl as I sank onto the couch.
The phone sat on the coffee table, mocking me with its silence.
I picked it up again, my thumb hovering over the call button. I knew I couldn’t just sit here and wait. I had to do something, anything, to feel like I was moving forward.
I had always hated waiting—hated the feeling of helplessness that came with it. And today, it felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on me.
I set the phone down with a sharp exhale, running a hand through my hair. Lance padded over, nudging my knee with his nose. His brown eyes were soft and concerned, and I scratched behind his ears absently, grateful for the comfort he offered.
A knock on the door startled me.
I blinked and glanced at the clock.
It was late afternoon—too early for Hayden to be home and too late for a delivery. My heart fluttered, a mix of hope and anxiety swirling in my chest.
But what if it was a processor again?
What if it were more of the same?
I opened the door, and my heart grew twice its size.
There he was.
Liam. His dark coat was dusted with snow, and his blue eyes sparkled like the first thaw of spring. He was holding a brown bag in one hand and a thermos in the other, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips.
“Hey, I brought reinforcements.”
My throat tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. The weight I’d been carrying all day threatened to crack me open, but his solid and calm presence held me together.
“Come in.” I stepped aside.
He stepped into the warmth of the house, brushing snow off his coat before setting the bag and thermos on the kitchen counter. Lance trotted over to greet him, tail wagging enthusiastically, and Liam patted the dog.
“Hot chocolate and cookies,” he said, nodding toward the bag. “Figured you might need a pick-me-up. I stopped by Abby’s, and she said you might be full up on caffeine.”
“Very astute of her.”
“What can we say? We have nothing else to do in a town this small,” he teased.
“It’s so sweet of you, but you didn’t have to come all the way out here.”
He leaned against the counter. “But I wanted to. See, this thing happens when you fall for someone…you want to see them a lot.”
I didn’t realize how much I needed him to be here until he was.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes searching mine.
That question undid me.
The tears I’d been holding back all day spilled over, and before I could stop myself, I was moving toward him. He opened his arms without hesitation, and I fell into him.
Resting my head against his chest, he embraced me firmly, and I just breathed.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice muffled against his coat. “I’m just... overwhelmed.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “I’ve got you.”
I closed my eyes, breathing in the faint scent of cedar and coffee that clung to him. For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel like I was carrying everything alone.
We stayed like that for a while. His hands moved gently over my back, not pushing or prying, just being there.
When I finally pulled back, his hands stayed on my arms, his thumbs brushing lightly against my sleeves.
His gaze met mine. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not yet. I just... thank you for being here.”
“Always,” he said simply, like it wasn’t even a question.
The lump in my throat returned, but this time, it wasn’t fear or anxiety—it was gratitude. Pure, unfiltered gratitude for this man who had walked into my life and offered me something I hadn’t dared to hope for… the chance to not be alone in all of this.
“Hot chocolate?”
I laughed softly, the sound surprising even me. “Yeah. That sounds perfect.”
We moved to the counter, and as he poured the steaming liquid into two mugs, I realized I truly didn’t have to figure this all out right now.
For this moment, I could just breathe. And that was enough.
The shrill ringtone of my phone startled me, and I nearly dropped my hot chocolate.
“You did need this,” Liam teased, handing me my phone from the counter.
The name of my attorney, Michael Harrington, lit up the screen. My heart leaped into my throat as I hit the speakerphone button, my hands trembling slightly.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Evie. It’s Michael.” The calm and professional voice came over the phone. “I’m sorry it took me a while to reply. I was reviewing the documents you sent over.”
“It’s okay,” I managed, though it wasn’t okay. The waiting had been torture.
Liam stood beside me, his arms crossed. His expression was a mix of concern and quiet determination. He caught my eye and gave me a reassuring nod.
Michael continued, “I’ve gone through everything, and unfortunately, your ex does have a legal basis to make this claim. Even though he’s been absent from Hayden’s life until now, he’s the biological father, and that alone gives him certain rights.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt my knees weaken, and I gripped the counter for support.
Liam stepped closer, his hand brushing against mine.
Michael’s voice softened. “That doesn’t mean he’ll win, Evie. His history of absence works strongly in your favor. Courts tend to prioritize what’s in the best interest of the child, and it’s clear you’ve provided a stable, loving home for Hayden. But...” He hesitated, and I held my breath.
“But?” I prompted, my voice barely above a whisper.
“But family court is unpredictable,” Michael admitted. “There are no absolutes. It will take time and resources to fight this. I’ll start drafting a response immediately and gather all the evidence we need to present a strong case. We’ll make it clear that Hayden’s well-being is best served staying with you.”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me.
“Thank you,” I murmured, my throat tight.
“I know this is overwhelming,” Michael added. “But try to focus on what’s in your control right now. We’ll take it step by step.”
“Okay,” I whispered, feeling anything but reassured.
After a few more logistical details, the call ended. As I hung up, the phone felt heavy in my hand. The weight of Michael’s words pressed down on me as I stared at the counter, unable to move.
My mind raced with every worst-case scenario.
Without a word, Liam stepped closer and pulled me into his arms. His warmth surrounded me.
I sank into him.
“We’re going to fight this,” he said firmly, his voice low and full of conviction. “Whatever it takes, Evie. You’re not in this by yourself.”
Tears pricked at my eyes, and I buried my face in his chest.
“What if I lose him, Liam? I can’t—”
“You won’t,” he interrupted gently but with an edge of steel. “I promise you, we’ll fight this. And we’ll win.”
His words were a lifeline, and though the fear didn’t vanish, it felt less suffocating with him beside me.