Chapter Thirty-Seven-Andrea
The courthouse smells like lemon cleaner and nerves.
I smooth my dress over my bump—it’s a dark green paisley number, expensive but not flashy.
It’s made from some sort of organic elastic fabric that emphasizes my bump. I wear a lightweight wrap over it and my stretchy sweater knit boots on my feet.
My stomach is in a tight knot of anxiety.
Remy’s hand rests on the small of my back as we walk into the courtroom, a united front. He’s in his tailored suit, broad shoulders radiating authority.
But even with him beside me, I feel like I might shatter.
I catch my first glimpse of him in person, and all I feel is hate for the man I don’t even know.
Julio Castillo sits at the petitioner’s table.
I’ve seen pictures.
Mugshots, mostly.
But nothing prepared me for the smug smirk on his face, the arrogance dripping off him in waves.
This man—the one who abandoned Callie before she could crawl—is trying to rip her from us.
Remy tenses beside me. His jaw clenches so tight I hear the faint click of his teeth grinding.
“Don’t,” I whisper, gripping his hand. “Not here. Not now.”
His eyes flash, but he nods once.
The judge enters, and the bailiff calls us to order.
“Petitioner claims abandonment was circumstantial,” Julio’s lawyer drones. “That Mr. Castillo has now turned his life around and seeks a relationship with his biological child.”
Bullshit.
Every word makes me want to stand up and scream.
When it’s our turn, our lawyer rises.
“Your Honor, Remy Falco has been the only father Callie has ever known. He’s raised her, provided for her, protected her. Blood may bind Mr. Castillo, but blood, love, loyalty, and care bind Mr. Falco.”
I clutch Remy’s hand under the table, my nails digging into his palm.
My heart is pounding so loud I almost don’t hear it when the judge turns to me.
“Mr. Falco, I understand you would like to make a statement?”
My throat closes. I didn’t know Remy planned to speak.
I tremble as the words tear themselves out of him, and I think my heart might break for real as I listen to his statement.
“Yes, Your Honor. I may not be Callie’s biological father, but she calls me Dad.
Calls my wife Mommy Andy. I have been there since day one, and I love her like she’s mine.
We’ve made a family together, Your Honor.
A real one. She holds our hands when she’s scared.
She trusts us to be there, to tuck her in at night, to read her stories and care for her needs.
When she was born, Julio Castillo was nowhere to be found.
He abandoned my sister, abandoned Callie.
He didn’t want her then. And I don’t think he wants her now.
But I’ll tell you this—no matter what happens here, I will never let that child believe she was ever unwanted.
Because she is wanted. She is loved. She is our daughter, and she belongs with us. ”
The courtroom is silent when he finishes, and I squeeze his hand tight.
Remy squeezes me back so hard it’s almost painful, but I need that anchor.
Across the aisle, Julio smirks again, like he knows something we don’t.
And my stomach twists, because I know this fight?
It’s only just beginning.