CHAPTER 30 #2
“And what else do you like about living in Lander?” my attorney asks.
Mia thinks for a long moment, tiny brow furrowed.
“Everything,” she says finally. “I like when Grace reads me stories. And when Mommy and me make pancakes on Saturdays. And when Opa sneaks me cookies before dinner. And when Jude makes my hot chocolate not too hot. And when Dex does cartoon voices and Penny lets me take pictures with her camera, and…”
She runs out of breath.
My throat closes up. Those are her real memories. Her life. Her sense of safety.
My attorney nods. “Mia, do you feel safe at home with your mom?”
“Yes.” No hesitation.
“And do you like spending time with Ethan?”
At Kevin’s table, his attorney straightens like she’s been pulled by a string.
But Mia just beams. “He’s my best friend.” Then, softer, almost shy: “He always puts my favorite songs in his car and sings with me.”
Judge Hale’s smile deepens with understanding. “Thank you, Mia. You did a very brave thing today.”
She nods, relieved, and lets the bailiff lead her out. She looks back at me once, her small hand rising in a hesitant wave.
I wave back even though my hand is shaking.
Because even with all the warmth Mia brought into this room, even with the judge’s first real smile…
Kevin still has money.
Influence.
Power.
The moment Mia disappears through the door, the cold washes back through me.
I’ve never been more terrified in my life.
Because now it’s his turn.
Kevin smirks from his chair with the polished confidence of a man who has never faced a single consequence in his life. His suit is expensive. His hair perfect. He looks like the kind of man judges listen to.
The kind of man women lose custody battles against.
His attorney smooths her skirt. “Your Honor, the petitioner calls Mr. Kevin Masters.”
Kevin rises and takes the stand. He flashes the judge a respectful, practiced smile. “Morning, Your Honor.”
Judge Hale nods. “Proceed.”
Kevin’s lawyer begins.
“Mr. Masters, can you describe your involvement in Mia’s life?”
He leans back, hands clasped like he’s posing for a magazine spread. “I’ve always provided for her. Always ensured she had the best. A stable home. Education. Opportunity.”
He’s talking about money.
Just money.
I swallow hard.
“And when Summer left with Mia,” his attorney continues, “were you aware of where they were?”
Kevin’s jaw tightens in a perfect imitation of pain. “No. I was blindsided.”
I clench my hands until my nails bite crescents into my palms.
My lawyer rises sharply. “Objection, Your Honor. I have copies of seven text messages and two voicemails sent by my client containing her address, phone number, and an open invitation for Mr. Masters to call or visit Mia at any time.”
The attorney freezes.
Kevin stiffens.
Judge Hale lifts one brow. “We’ll admit those.”
My heart beats faster. Hope, small and trembling, presses at the edges of my fear.
But then his attorney pivots.
“Let’s talk about Summer leaving the marital home.”
My whole body goes rigid.
“Is it true,” she asks Kevin, “that Summer left you abruptly and without warning?”
“Yes.” His voice cracks convincingly. “One day she was gone. She took my daughter, emptied the closets, and disappeared with some cowboy.”
My stomach drops.
A low rumble sounds behind me, several of them.
I glance back. Ethan’s eyes are locked on Kevin, murderous.
“Motherfucker needs a lesson,” Dex growls under his breath, quiet enough that only those closest hear.
Cas shoots him a sharp glare. “Summer needs us to stay calm right now,” he mutters.
Whispers ripple through the courtroom.
“And how did that make you feel?” Kevin’s attorney asks.
“Hurt.” His voice goes soft, trembling. “Betrayed. I had no idea she was… involved with someone else.”
My mouth falls open.
“I’ll show him what real pain feels like,” Dex mutters again.
This time I hear Lily hiss, “Dexter Hawthorne, you shut that mouth right now. Remember who’s watching.”
Ethan’s hand comes to my shoulder, and the way he squeezes anchors me to the earth.
My attorney looks ready to object, but the judge raises a hand. “We’ll get to that.”
Great. Another seed of doubt planted.
My attorney stands and approaches Kevin with slow, deliberate steps. “Mr. Masters, what is it you miss the most about Mia?”
Kevin’s eyes widen. He glances at his attorney. “Her smile.”
My attorney nods. “And can you tell me your favorite memory with your daughter?”
Immediately, Kevin’s attorney objects.
The judge looks directly at Kevin. “Overruled.”
Kevin swallows. He has to answer.
“Going to the zoo,” he says.
I choke back a snort. The only time he ever came with us was the zoo, because the press was there to photograph the “happy family.”
“Can you tell me what you remember about that day?” my attorney presses.
“Objection!” Kevin’s attorney snaps.
The judge turns to mine. “Where are you going with this?”
“I want to show Mr. Masters’ involvement with the child.”
“Sustained,” the judge says, though his tone carries a hint of understanding.
My heart sinks.
“Please get on with it,” he tells my lawyer.
He nods and asks, “Can you tell me Mia’s favorite color?”
Kevin blanks. His gaze darts to me. “Purple?”
More question than answer.
My lawyer offers a tight, knowing smile, because we both know it’s not.
He continues, asking Kevin about Mia’s allergies, her favorite songs, her books, cartoons, hobbies…
Kevin knows none.
Not one.
My attorney straightens his tie. “Mr. Masters,” she says, “are you familiar with this document?” He holds up the marital settlement agreement.
Kevin’s face loses a shade of color. “Yes.”
“And you willingly signed it?”
“Yes.”
“And in doing so, you accepted full ownership of all assets, property, stocks, accounts, and family holdings, correct?”
He nods, jaw tight.
“And you also agreed that Summer would have full custody of Mia?”
A flicker of panic moves across his features.
“I… I didn’t read it fully.”
“But you work with legal documents daily for your job correct?”
Kevin exhales. “But it was late..”
“Yes or no Mr. Masters.”
His jaw ticks, he finally looks at me, but its a death glare. “Yes.”
“And you didn’t fight for custody then, not right then, and not for six whole months?”
His nostrils flare.
He doesn’t answer.
“Answer the question.” The judge says.
“Yes.”
“Why?” my lawyer pushes.
Kevin snaps.
“Because I thought she wouldn’t actually LEAVE!”
Gasps echo through the courtroom.
The judge’s expression shifts.
“I thought she would crawl back to me.”
My lawyer’s tone sharpens. “Isn’t it true, Mr. Masters, that you were at the White Lantern Gentleman’s Club on three separate evenings in the month prior to Summer leaving?”
A muscle jumps in his cheek.
“Objection!” his lawyer barks.
“And that you received a DUI six weeks before she left?”
“That has nothing to do with this…”
“And were you aware your wife had photographs of you with…”
“I SAID IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!”
Kevin slams his fist onto the witness stand.
The room goes silent.
Judge Hale leans forward, voice icy. “Mr. Masters. Sit down.”
Kevin sits, face red, breathing hard.
But the damage is done.
Everyone saw.
Everyone heard.
The facade cracked wide open.
Kevin goes back to his seat, and my lawyer calls me to the stand. My pulse hammers, but when he begins asking me the same questions he asked Kevin, the answers come easily.
Because I know them all.
Every detail. Every memory. Every piece of Mia’s world.
Kevin’s lawyer approaches, and my hands curl into fists beneath the table.
“Miss Montgomery,” she begins, her voice dripping with false politeness, “is it true you’re dating Mr. Ethan Hawthorne?”
I swallow. “I am.”
“And how long have you known Mr. Hawthorne?”
“I met him in September.”
Kevin’s lawyer nods as if this is exactly what she wanted to hear. “And when did you start dating?”
I look at Ethan. He gives me the softest nod, steady, reassuring.
“Since early December,” I say.
“And is it true you’re already living together?” the lawyer smirks.
“We moved in with Ethan the day before Christmas,” I answer evenly.
“Isn’t that a little soon? Just one month into dating? Putting Mia in a new home like that?”
“Objection!” my lawyer snaps.
“Sustained.” Judge Hale rubs his temple, annoyance clear. “Get on with it.”
Kevin’s lawyer bows her head, but her smile stays sharp.
“Is it true that your boyfriend hit Mr. Kevin Masters when he came by to see Mia?” she asks, triumph lighting her eyes.
“Objection!” my lawyer shouts.
“Overruled.”
The judge turns to me. “Answer the question, Miss Montgomery.”
My stomach twists.
“Kevin was hurting me and…”
“No,” the lawyer interrupts, smirking. “I asked you a simple yes or no question. Did Mr. Hawthorne hit Mr. Masters?”
I feel myself wilt.
Defeated.
“He did.”
My lawyer is on his feet instantly. “Your Honor, I have another question for my client.”
Judge Hale nods. “Proceed.”
He steps closer, voice firm but gentle. “What happened the day Mr. Masters came by your workplace?”
I inhale shakily.
And I tell them everything.
About the threat to drag me back home.
About his fingers digging into my wrist.
About Ethan telling him, multiple times, to let go of me.
About Kevin ignoring Mia completely while she stood right there, confused and afraid.
By the time I finish, the courtroom is silent.
Completely, utterly silent.