62. THIRTY-THREE
THIRTY-THREE
ALEX
Zora Clarke sits against the backdrop of downtown Seattle in a pristine white suit and stilettos as tall as her office building.
Her ebony hair is pulled back into a lush cloud at the back of her head, tied with a silk scarf, and her fingers drum manicured fingernails against the spotless glass top of her desk.
“We can file a motion for reconsideration, since you weren’t provided the opportunity to present your own evidence. ”
Eden leans forward in her chair, her back ramrod straight, her nails digging half-moon cuts into her hands on her lap. “How long will that take?”
“Getting a hearing can take up to thirty days.” Zora pulls out a Montblanc pen from her hair and starts scratching indistinguishable notes across the many documents of evidence Eden provided her with. “But we should be able to secure one within the next ten days.”
Printed screenshots of Sebastian’s text messages, including the number of threats he’s sent her, litter Zora’s desk.
Several written statements from Macon’s teachers, his pediatrician, the teacher at drama club, all of them saying what a wonderful and devoted mother she is.
Macon’s medical records. His school transcripts. Their original divorce documents.
Eden has left no stone unturned in her gathering of evidence to prove that she’s the more suitable parent. And yet, I can see the shame etched into her face because she thinks she hasn’t done enough. Worse than that, she’s blaming herself for what’s happened.
Fuck, I wish I could fix this for her.
Wish I could go get Macon myself and bring him home.
I’d do it too, if it wouldn’t compromise this case for Eden even more.
Patience has never been a virtue of mine.
I’m much more of an act-now-think-later type, which is unfortunately how Leo found himself with a black eye last year.
But if I truly want to help Eden—and I do, more than I’ve wanted anything—I can’t go storming into Sebastian’s house, throw Macon over my shoulder, and bring him home, simply because I disagree with a judge’s decision.
Because, unfortunately, that bastard is still Macon’s father—even if he doesn’t deserve the title.
“I should warn you, however, that motions of temporary custody are rarely overturned because they’re just that.
Temporary. Our best bet may be pushing for a quicker final custody hearing and hitting them with indisputable evidence that it is within the child’s best interest to remain with you.
That doesn’t mean I won’t try, but it’s important to be realistic about the outcome. ”
Eden deflates. I watch the fight drain out of her slowly, first in the drop of her shoulders as it seeps away, then in the exhausted bowing of her spine, then finally, the sagging of her head. “That could take six months.”
Zora nods. “I’m confident I could bring it down to about twelve weeks, but yes, it won’t be immediate.”
A sob squeaks from between Eden’s lips as she battles to choke it down. “I can’t contact him. He left his phone behind. God, he’s gotta be so sad right now. He doesn’t even have Mr. Snuggles.”
“That’s his bedtime buddy,” I offer helpfully, smoothing my hand in circles over Eden’s back. “He’s a hippo.”
Zora ignores me and smiles at Eden sympathetically. “I understand how difficult this is, but please rest assured that I will do everything in my power to return your little boy to you as quickly as possible.”
Eden nods her thanks, but I can tell she isn’t really listening.
“Zora’s the best family law attorney in the state,” I say gently, sliding my hand over hers and feeling the roaring pulse in her wrist against my thumb. “She’s got this, okay?”
“Yeah.” She sniffs, tears dropping onto our intertwined fingers. “I know.”
I look back up at Zora. “What can we do about the angle Sebastian is spinning? I’ve already got my lawyer working on retracting the article that was printed today, but how do we go about proving that I wasn’t paying Eden for sex?”
“If it’s just hearsay, then it’ll only be a problem if he can back up his claims with evidence.”
“Alex gave me money,” Eden whispers. “And Sebastian has my bank statements. That’s why he was able to file the emergency motion.”
Zora, to her credit, doesn’t show any outward signs of concern at that. “Pardon the bluntness of my question here, but did you sleep together after the transaction?”
Eden’s face crumples. She opens her mouth, but the words get lost on her tongue.
I answer for her. “Yes. But not immediately, and it had nothing to do with the money. We were very clear about that when we entered this…arrangement.”
Zora nods, flicking her gaze to a spot on the wall behind us as she thinks.
“Well, that certainly makes things more difficult. The problem isn’t sex work itself, but it’s moving a child in with a client that is considered a severe safety concern.
Now, I understand that that wasn’t the situation, however, Sebastian has already managed to convince a judge, so disproving it may be an issue. ”
“So, there’s nothing we can do?”
Zora frowns. “I didn’t say that, did I?”
“Forgive me, but you didn’t seem particularly confident either.”
“I’m a lawyer, Alex. And a good one at that. I know what I can do, but I’d be doing us all a disservice if I allowed you to believe this will be a process devoid of struggle. Leave it all with me, and I’ll contact you as soon as I have an update.”
That’s a dismissal if I’ve ever heard one.
Thanking her, I gently peel Eden out of her chair.
Tucking her under my arm, I lead her out of Zora’s office and into the elevator, where we travel thirty-five stories down to the ground floor.
She’s silent, and I can’t blame her. Despondent, too, and I feel the same way, though I wouldn’t be a help to anyone if I let myself fall into it.
I have to be strong for her until this shit works itself out.
Be the anchor she needs to keep her from drowning.
Protect her with kindness, tenderness, and understanding, because this isn’t a problem I can solve with my fists—even if I can’t think of anything better than slamming them into Sebastian’s face until something breaks.
There’s nothing else I can do.
There’s nothing either of us can do.
Nothing except wait.