Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 47

<Chapter 34

Chapter 34

(Sabrina’s POV)

That night, I dream that I’m in a courtroom.

I’ve never been to a custody hearing before. But the courtroom is all dark wood and cold fluorescent lights that make everyone look dead.

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The judge sits high above us, faceless in black robes. Dustin is at the other table with Jessica beside him, both of them smiling victory smiles.

“Ms. Moore.” The judge’s voice echoes off the walls. “Do you have anything to say before I make my ruling?”

I try to stand, but my legs won’t work. I try to speak, but my voice comes out as a whisper no one

can hear.

“The court finds that the mother is unfit. Custody is awarded to the father.”

“No!” The word tears out of me. “No, please, you don’t understand-”

But the judge is already standing, already leaving. And Jake-

Jake is walking toward Dustin’s side of the courtroom. His little hand reaches for Dustin’s, not even looking back at me.

Not even once.

“Jake!” I scream, my voice bouncing off the walls. “Jake, please! Baby, look at me!”

He turns. Finally. But his face is blank. Empty.

“I’m sorry, Mommy,” he says in a voice that doesn’t sound like his. “But you’re too sad. I can’t stay with you anymore. I need a happy family.”

Then he’s gone. Walking away with Dustin and Jessica. The courtroom doors close behind them with a sound like thunder.

Then I’m left alone.

Utterly, and completely alone.

“Sabrina.”

I spin around. Jason is standing behind me, but something’s wrong. His edges are blurry, like he’s not quite real.

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Chapter 34

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“You could have prevented this,” he says. “If you’d just trusted me. If you’d just let people help you-

“You lied to me-”

“And you pushed everyone away.” His voice isn’t cruel, just matter-of-fact. “You were so determined to prove you didn’t need anyone that you lost everything.”

Sophia appears beside him. “I only wanted to help.”

“You manipulated me-

“Because you wouldn’t let me help any other way. Because you always have to do everything alone.” She shakes her head. “And now Jake is gone.”

“NO! Jake is MINE!” I scream again, my voice raw. “He’s my son! He’s-”

But they’re fading, both of them disappearing like smoke. And I’m alone in the empty courtroom, the echo of the gavel still ringing through the room.

The doors burst open.

Jake runs in, but he’s older now. Ten, maybe twelve. Old enough to know what he wants. Who he

wants to be with.

“Mommy?”

“Baby!” I run to him, dropping to my knees, reaching for him. “You came back. I knew come back. How can you stay away from your mom? I didn’t leave you-”

“But you

did.” His voice is small, hurt. “You chose your pride over me.”

“No! Baby, that’s not-I was trying to protect you! I was trying to be strong-”

you would

“You were trying to prove yourself to everyone. And that’s not the same thing.” He steps back, out of my reach. “I needed you to be my mom. Not to become like mean lady. Just my mom.”

He starts fading too, getting smaller and smaller. I reach for him but I can’t quite touch him. And

then-

I wake up gasping.

The hotel room is dark except for the bathroom light we always leave on for Jake. He’s asleep in the other bed, his chest rising and falling steadily, Rexy clutched in his arms.

He’s here. He’s safe. He’s still mine.

I press my hands to my face, trying to muffle the sobs that want to escape. The nightmare is still vivid, still real. Jake’s voice echoing: You chose pride over me.

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Is that what I’m doing?

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I think about Sophia’s job offer that I turned down. About Jason trying to explain while I shut him

down. About Richard telling me pride won’t keep my son.

About Jake drawing a family picture with space for his “new daddy.”

Everyone keeps trying to help me, and I keep pushing them away because accepting help feels like admitting Dustin was right-that I’m weak, incapable, and unable to stand on my own two feet.

But does being strong mean I have to do everything on my own?

I look at Jake, at my baby boy who might be taken from me if I don’t win this case/Who might grow up resenting me for choosing pride over rationale.

Because it isn’t possible for me to win his custody without stable income and housing to prove I can provide for him.

My phone sits on the nightstand. Sophia’s number is still blocked.

I stare at it for a long time.

Then I unblock her and type: I’m sorry. I overreacted. Can we talk?

I hit send before I can second-guess myself.

As much as I hate to admit it…I can’t do this on my own.

I need the help of my best friend.

Her response comes immediately, like she’s been waiting for me to come to my senses: YES. Thank you. I’m sorry too. I love you.

My throat tightens. I love you too. And I need your help. The custody hearing is Wednesday. Can you come? I might need you to testify for me.

I would’ve been there even if you hadn’t asked me.

I set the phone down and stare at the ceiling.

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