14. Chapter Fourteen
I straighten my tie, adjusting the knot with a sharp tug. Today is the day. The custody hearing. The moment everything comes to light.
Margo never backed down. She never does. She doesn’t want me back. But she wants to win. And she knows the best way to hurt me.
She won’t sign the damn papers. Won’t let me move on. Won’t let go. Instead, she’s throwing everything she has at this, using every trick, every lie, every manipulation to take away the one thing that means more to me than anything else.
CC.
I exhale, slow and controlled, gripping the edge of the dresser to steady myself. She’s doing this to punish me. Because I rejected her. Because I told her no. Because I wouldn’t take her back, no matter how many times she tried.
I wasn’t happy with her. I never was. But knowing she hurt our daughter? That was worse than anything else.
Who would’ve thought that her leaving was the best thing that ever happened to us?
Too bad she didn’t stay gone.
“Daddy… why can’t I skip school and come?” CC’s small voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn to find her standing in the doorway, her little face pinched in frustration.
I sigh, kneeling so we’re at eye level. “Well, sweetheart, this is grown-up stuff.”
“But I want to help,” she whines, crossing her arms.
I tuck a curl behind her ear, my heart squeezing. She already did. “CC, you did help. You recorded the video for the judge. You told your story. You were so brave.” My voice softens, but there’s an edge of steel beneath it. “Now it’s my turn to protect you.”
Her bottom lip wobbles, but she nods. I press a kiss to her forehead, pulling her into a hug.
“Uncle Harold and Aunt Joanne are going to watch you today after school,” I continue, forcing a smile. “And Uncle Nikolai is coaching you, along with Aunt Zara.”
Her eyes widen, the small spark of excitement cutting through the worry. “Oh! That’s exciting!” Then, just as quickly, her face falls. “But… I miss Valeria. Will she be there?”
I freeze.
CC’s been asking about her less and less, but it still happens. And every damn time, it hits like a gut punch.
I could lie. I could tell her what I always have—that Valeria is training, that she’s busy, that she’ll see her soon.
But I don’t have that excuse anymore.
So, I tell the truth. The only truth that matters. “I miss her too, squirt.”
CC nods, as if she understands something I don’t, then skips off. Just like that.
I exhale, dragging a hand down my face. I need to stop thinking about her.
I need to focus. I need to fight.
Because I can’t lose CC.
And because Valeria is already gone.
She doesn’t want me.
And I have to let her go.
I pull into the courthouse parking lot, gripping the wheel tighter than I need to. This is it. The trial, the fight, the last battle I never wanted but sure as hell won’t lose.
I cut the engine and step out, rolling my shoulders, inhaling the cold air like it might settle the tension coiled in my chest. It doesn’t.
My parents, Ryan, Nina, and Drew are already on the sidewalk waiting for me. But standing next to Nina is someone I wasn’t expecting.
Valeria.
I stop short, my breath locking in my chest. She’s here. Not in my memory. Not in my dreams. Right here.
She steps forward, her gaze locked onto mine, steady, unshaken. Determined. “Ethan.”
Just my name. Simple. But it slams into me, like something deep and aching finally being touched.
She looks different. But not really. The same, but more.
She’s wearing a fitted navy coat, the color making her brown eyes sharper, her skin warmer. It cinches at her waist, elegant, structured, effortlessly her. Her hair is down, waves cascading over her shoulders, the ends curling slightly from the winter air. There’s something about it, about all of her, that feels softer. But she’s still Valeria. Still steel beneath it all.
Still the woman I love.
I clear my throat, stepping toward her. “You came.”
Her lips press together for half a second before she nods. “Of course, I came.”
I swallow hard. “You didn’t have to.”
Her breath shudders slightly, the first crack in her composure. “Yes, I did.” She exhales slowly, her breath visible in the cold air. “I left when you needed me. I’m not making that mistake again.”
Everything inside me stills.
She left. When things got hard, when Margo came back, when everything was falling apart—she left. And it hurt more than I let myself admit. But now, here she is, standing in front of me, choosing to come back.
Her hands clench slightly, like she’s trying to steady herself. “I was scared, Ethan. I was scared of what Margo being back meant, of what it would do to you, to CC. I was scared I would just be in the way.” Her throat bobs, her voice barely above a whisper now. “But I wasn’t protecting you. I was protecting myself. And that was selfish.”
She blinks hard, like she’s trying to push past the emotion tightening her voice. “I should’ve stayed. I should’ve fought for you. I should’ve fought for us.”
The world around us blurs, the courthouse, the people, the trial waiting inside—none of it exists in this moment. Just her. Just me.
I inhale deeply, letting her words settle, letting them carve into the space where I held my anger, my hurt, my longing for her.
“I understand why you left.” My voice is steady, but there’s an edge of something else—something real, something raw. “But I also understand why you’re here.”
She nods, exhaling like she’s been holding this in for too long.
“I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
I reach for her hand, hesitant, waiting for her to pull away.
But she doesn’t. Her fingers are cold, but her grip is firm, grounding, sure. She’s here. For me. For CC.
I let out a slow breath, squeezing her hand. “Are you sure?”
Her eyes search mine, unwavering. “I love you, Ethan.”
The words hit, shatter, and rebuild me within a moment.
I don’t realize I’ve been holding my breath until I let out a quiet exhale. “I love you too.”
The tension, the distance, the weeks of uncertainty dissolve between us.
She’s here, and she’s choosing me. She’s choosing us. And I choose her right back.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” Margo’s voice slices through the cold air, dripping with the kind of outrage only she can muster.
I turn, already bracing for impact.
Her band stands behind her like a pack of vultures, their smirks smug, arrogant. They think they’ve already won. They think today will be in their favor. That Callum Hayes, the sleazy attorney she dug up, will rip me apart, tear Valeria down, paint me as the villain.
They have no idea what’s coming. They have no idea CC recorded a video, or that Ryan is holding a file thicker than the damn rulebook Margo never followed as a mother. They don’t know that we have proof of all the lies she’s been spinning, and we’ll be turning it all over to the judge.
But they will.
Valeria steps forward, her back straight, her voice calm but steady. Unshaken.
“I’m here for Ethan,” she says. “For the Crosse family. For CC.”
Margo snaps. “Keep my daughter’s name out of your mouth!”
My daughter. Not our daughter. Mine.
Valeria doesn’t flinch, doesn’t react. She just tilts her head, lips pressing into a thin line.
“You should’ve thought about your daughter, Margo,” she says, voice controlled, cutting. “But you never did.”
She turns before Margo can respond, her hand finding mine, her fingers curling around my own like an anchor.
Margo bristles. Livid. Callum steps forward, clearing his throat, his smirk growing. “Well, Ryan,” he drawls. “Can’t wait for you to explain this one—your client caught in an affair.”
Ryan doesn’t even blink. Doesn’t hesitate. “Sure, Callum. Right after I lay out all of your client’s dirty little secrets.” He adjusts his tie, all confidence, all control. “Since she wanted to be in front of a judge and all.”
Margo scoffs, rolling her eyes. “I have no dirty secrets.” Her sneer is almost convincing. Almost. “You’re just making things up for Ethan. You’ve been best friends forever.”
Ryan’s smirk grows, something lethal beneath it. “Well, the PI says differently.”
Silence.
I watch it happen. The way Margo pales, just slightly, her stance shifting, her fingers clenching at her sides. The way Callum stiffens, his smugness flickering, like a man realizing he walked into the wrong fight.
Margo swallows, once, then turns sharply on her heel, storming toward the courthouse steps. Her band follows. Callum follows. They’re rattled.
They should be.
I glance at Ryan. “PI?”
He grins, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “You can thank Emilio Blaze for that one. He called in a favor.”
I exhale, shaking my head, a quiet pulse of gratitude settling in my chest.
Ryan follows Drew and Nina inside, my parents trailing after them.
I turn to Valeria.
She’s watching me carefully. “Are you ready?”
I squeeze her hand, my grip tightening. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We step forward, together. Toward the courthouse. Toward the fight. Toward the ending Margo never saw coming.
Valeria sits with my family, her presence grounding even as I know she hates being here. Emilio and Ana Lucia are near my parents, their expressions unreadable. I square my shoulders, shifting my focus back to the front of the room. Cassidy is at school, safe. That’s what matters.
The bailiff steps forward.
“All rise.”
The heavy wooden doors open, and the judge enters, taking his seat behind the bench.
“You may be seated.”
I grip the table, pulse steadying. Ryan straightens beside me as Margo’s attorney, Callum Hayes, rises first. He buttons his expensive suit, stepping forward with calculated ease.
“Your Honor, this is a case of a devoted mother being unjustly alienated from her child. A mother who made sacrifices to support her family, only to return and find herself replaced.”
He paces, shaking his head. “We will present evidence that Mr. Crosse engaged in an extramarital affair. That he encouraged his daughter to form an attachment to another woman while pushing her biological mother out. That Mrs. Crosse was forced to fight for a place in her own daughter’s life.”
Margo shifts, playing the part of the wounded mother, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
Callum delivers his final line smoothly. “We ask this court to restore a mother’s rightful place.”
Ryan stands. He doesn’t button his jacket. Doesn’t pace. Just steps forward and speaks. “Your Honor, this is not a case of alienation. It is a case of abandonment.”
Margo tenses.
“For eight months, Mrs. Crosse made no attempt to see her daughter. No calls. No visits. No birthday acknowledgment. Not because my client prevented it, but because she chose not to.”
Callum shifts in his seat, but Ryan doesn’t acknowledge him.
“We will prove that Cassidy Crosse’s reluctance to see her mother has nothing to do with manipulation and everything to do with Margo’s own actions. We will present evidence—in her own words—that she never wanted this child. That she viewed motherhood as a burden.”
Margo exhales sharply, her nails digging into the table.
“This is not about a mother fighting to reclaim her daughter. This is about a mother who left. And now that she sees the life she abandoned moving on without her, she wants control.”
He lets the silence settle before delivering his final blow.
“We ask this court to protect Cassidy from further emotional harm. To place her where she is safe. Where she is loved.” Ryan returns to his seat.
Silence.
The judge exhales. “Proceed.”
Margo rises gracefully, smoothing her skirt as she walks toward the stand. She places her hand on the Bible, voice perfectly composed. “I do.”
She sits, crossing her legs neatly. Callum steps forward.
“Mrs. Crosse, why are we here today?”
Margo exhales, looking down as if gathering herself. “Because I want my daughter back.”
Her voice trembles just enough to seem real. “Because for months, I have been denied my rights as a mother. Because the man I trusted—the man I built a life with—has taken that away from me.”
My jaw locks.
Callum paces. “Can you tell us about your relationship with Cassidy?”
Her face softens. “Cassidy is my world. I gave up so much for her. I put my dreams on hold, because that’s what mothers do.” She sniffs. “And it breaks my heart that she doesn’t know that.”
Ryan sits perfectly still.
“Did you have any reason to believe Ethan would cut you out of your daughter’s life?” Callum presses.
Margo shakes her head. “No. We had an agreement. He knew this tour was important to me. But when I came back… everything was different.” She exhales sharply, shifting forward slightly. “Because I came back to find another woman in my place.”
My hands clench into fists under the table.
“I came back to find my husband had moved on. That my daughter had bonded with someone else. That I had been made to feel like I didn’t belong in my own family.”
She turns, eyes locking onto me with something cold. “Valeria Blaze took everything that was mine.”
A murmur ripples through the courtroom.
Callum turns to the judge. “Your Honor, we will prove that Mr. Crosse’s relationship with Ms. Blaze directly contributed to the alienation of Cassidy from her mother.”
Margo presses a hand to her chest, whispering, “I just want my daughter back.”
Callum nods. “Your witness.”
Ryan stands, adjusting his cuffs, his expression unreadable. He approaches the stand, resting one hand lightly on the table.
“Mrs. Crosse, at what point did your love for Cassidy include actually being present in her life?”
Margo stiffens. “I have always been there for my daughter.”
Ryan lifts a brow. “Really? Because the evidence shows you didn’t visit, didn’t call, didn’t even acknowledge her birthday.”
Margo’s jaw tightens. “I was on tour.”
Ryan doesn’t blink. “And in all those months, how many times did you reach out to see her?”
Silence.
Ryan nods. “You claim Cassidy was manipulated into loving Ms. Blaze. But the reality is, she was never given the chance to have a mother who put her first.”
Margo shakes her head. “That’s not true.”
Ryan pulls out a folder. “We have witness testimony—including Cassidy’s. Would you like to hear her own words?”
The screen flickers. A trembling voice fills the courtroom. “She doesn’t like me.”
Margo stiffens.
Ryan doesn’t blink. “Mrs. Crosse, do you still believe Ethan is the reason Cassidy doesn’t want to see you?”
Silence.
Ryan leans in slightly. “Would you like to hear more?”
Margo looks away.
Ryan smirks. “No further questions.”
Callum stands, straightening his suit, preparing for his final attempt to sway the judge.
"Your Honor, what we have here is a clear case of parental alienation. Ethan Crosse not only moved another woman into his daughter’s life but actively encouraged Cassidy to see Ms. Blaze as her mother, replacing my client in the process."
He walks to the screen, clicking to display images taken from social media.
"These are public photos of Cassidy attending skating events with Ms. Blaze. This is Cassidy at a family dinner—with Ms. Blaze by her side. And here—" he clicks again, showing a still from Margo’s viral video, "—is the moment Mrs. Crosse walked back into her daughter’s life, only to find another woman had taken her place."
Margo dabs at her eyes for effect.
Callum presses forward. "We also have proof that Valeria Blaze’s presence in Mr. Crosse’s life has damaged her reputation—because deep down, even her sponsors saw this for what it is: inappropriate. We have statements from representatives of brands that pulled out of sponsorship deals, citing moral concerns and public backlash."
He turns to the judge.
"Your Honor, what kind of example does this set for Cassidy? A father prioritizing a romantic relationship over his own child? A woman benefiting from scandal? My client simply wants what was stolen from her: her place as Cassidy’s mother." Callum sits, smug.
The judge nods. "Mr. Crosse, your response?"
Ryan stands, unbothered, adjusting his tie. He approaches the bench with calm precision, placing a thick folder of documents onto the table. "Your Honor, if we’re here to discuss parental alienation, let’s talk about the parent who did the alienating—Margo Crosse."
He clicks a remote. Text messages appear on the screen. "These are messages from Margo Crosse to various friends, stating—word for word—her desire to be free of her responsibilities as a mother."
The messages fill the screen:
"I hope this kid grows up fast so I don’t have to deal with her anymore."
"Ethan can raise her. I didn’t ask for this life."
"She’s so needy. I don’t have time for that. She’s better off with Ethan."
A hush spreads across the courtroom.
Margo shifts in her seat, lips pressing together.
Ryan doesn’t stop. "These aren’t statements of a devoted mother, Your Honor. These are words from a woman who never wanted to be a mother in the first place."
He clicks again. Financial records appear.
"These documents show that, despite earning a significant income from her music career, Mrs. Crosse has not provided a single financial contribution toward Cassidy’s care since she left."
Callum shifts uncomfortably.
Ryan takes a step closer, voice sharp. "She didn’t pay for school. She didn’t pay for clothes, food, medical expenses. Nothing. In fact, Your Honor, the only thing she’s contributed to Cassidy’s life in the last eight months—is a lawsuit."
Margo exhales sharply, shaking her head, but Ryan isn’t finished.
"And as for my opposing counsel’s argument about sponsorship loss? Let’s talk about reputation damage."
He presses a button. Screenshots of Margo’s affairs flash across the screen. Hotel receipts, messages, photos of her with multiple men—some before she even left for tour.
Gasps ripple through the courtroom.
Ryan turns to the judge.
"Mrs. Crosse didn’t leave to chase a dream. She left because she had already checked out of this marriage. And her own words, her own actions, prove she never planned to come back for her daughter."
He lets the silence settle before delivering the final blow. "My client isn’t the one who alienated Cassidy from her mother. Margo Crosse did that all on her own."
The judge leans back in his chair, fingers steepled. The weight of everything just presented sits heavy in the room.
After a long pause, he exhales. "I’ve heard enough."
Margo straightens, eyes widening. Callum leans in, whispering furiously, but she barely hears him.
The judge clears his throat. "This court rules in favor of Ethan Crosse. Full sole legal and physical custody is granted to the father."
Margo stiffens.
"Furthermore, visitation rights are revoked at this time. Before any future considerations, Mrs. Crosse must undergo psychological evaluation and complete extensive parenting courses."
Margo’s body snaps upright. "What?" She bolts to her feet, eyes flashing. "You can’t do this!"
The judge remains unmoved. "This ruling is final."
Margo’s breaths come sharp and fast. Then—she erupts. "You’re stealing my daughter!" she screams, whipping toward Ethan. "You did this! You turned her against me!"
Ryan exhales sharply. "No, Margo. You did this to yourself."
Margo turns to the judge. "This isn’t fair! I’m her mother!"
The judge doesn’t blink. "Then you should have acted like one."
We all rise.
Margo bolts from the courtroom, her heels clicking against the polished floors, her movements sharp, frantic, like she can outrun the reality of what just happened.
She can’t.
Callum lingers for a moment, already reaching for his phone, already shifting into damage control. But before he leaves, he turns to Ryan, his expression unreadable.
“I’ll get her to sign the papers. Don’t worry.” He exhales, rubbing his jaw. “Beer later?”
Ryan smirks, shaking his hand. “You got it.”
The second the doors open, the second I step into the hallway, my focus zeroes in on the only thing that does matter.
Valeria.
She’s standing just ahead, watching me, waiting, her presence grounding me, steadying me, pulling me in like a gravitational force I never had a chance against.
I don’t hesitate. I don’t think.
I go straight to her, closing the space between us in three strides, and then she’s in my arms.
Her breath catches, but she doesn’t pull away. She presses into me, solid, real, mine.
I cup her face, tilt her chin up, and kiss her—deep, certain, claiming.
The case is over. Margo is gone. CC is safe.
And now?
Now, it’s time to go pick up my girl.