Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 56

Chapter 40-1

Chapter 40-1

(Sabrina’s POV)

+25 Points

The courtroom is smaller than I expected. Wood-paneled walls. American flag in the corner. The

judge’s bench elevated at the front, empty for now.

We take our seats-me and Richard at one table, Dustin and his lawyer Tom Patterson at the other, Sophia and Ethan sit in the gallery behind me. Jessica takes a seat behind Dustin, her presence a

constant reminder of Dustin’s betrayal.

The bailiff’s voice cuts through the silence. “All rise. The Honorable Judge Megan Whitmore

presiding.”

Everyone stands as Judge Whitmore enters.

She’s younger than I expected, maybe mid-forties, with sharp eyes and dark hair pulled back in a severe bun. Her expression gives nothing away as she takes her seat and reviews the file in front

of her.

“Please be seated.” Her voice is crisp, professional. “Case number 2024-FC-1847, Dustin Reed versus Sabrina Moore. Custody dispute regarding the minor child, Jake Reed, age five.”

Hearing Jake’s name makes my chest tight.

He’s at the academy right now, probably painting with brushes clutched in his arms. He doesn’t know what’s happening today. Doesn’t know his entire future is being decided by strangers in a wood-paneled room.

“Mr. Patterson.” Judge Whitmore looks at Dustin’s lawyer. “Make your opening statement.”

Tom Patterson stands, buttoning his suit jacket. He’s older, distinguished, with the kind of practiced charm that comes with confidence.

“Your Honor, we’re here today because the mother, Ms. Moore, has demonstrated a pattern of unstable behavior that puts the minor child at risk. Since filing for divorce, Ms. Moore has engaged in inappropriate relationships, exposed the child to adult content via social media, and failed to maintain stable housing or employment.”

Each word is a knife. Precise. Calculated. Designed to make me look like exactly the kind of mother who shouldn’t have the custody of her child.

But…he said unemployed.

This means Dustin’s lawyer doesn’t know about my new employment yet.

WED

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13

Chapter 40-1

That quells a fraction of my worry. Not much. Just a fraction.

But it’s enough to make me sit up straighter.

+25 Points

“The father, Mr. Reed, is a successful marketing director with stable housing, a committed partner,

and the financial means to provide the child with security and stability. We ask the court to grant

Mr. Reed full custody of Jake Reed, with supervised visitation for Ms. Moore when she demonstrates stability.”

When.

Not until.

But when.

Dustin is planning to keep me from seeing my son, not even allowing supervised visitation until aft

er I prove my stability.

I always knew he was a scum. I just never thought he was the lowest of all scums to ever exist on

the face of this earth.

Tom sits down, looking satisfied.

Judge Whitmore turns to Richard. “Mr. Hill?”

Richard stands, and there’s something in his bearing that makes my rage against Dustin dissipate. Confidence. Authority. That’s what he gives off, like he’s done this a thousand times before and won every single time.

“Your Honor, what we have here is a textbook case of a father using custody as punishment. Mr. Reed chose to end his marriage by engaging in an affair with his supervisor. That same supervisor then fired Ms. Moore in retaliation. And now Mr. Reed is attempting to take custody of their son as a final act of revenge, and control over his ex-wife.”

I watch Dustin’s jaw clench.

“Ms. Moore has been the primary caregiver since Jake was born. She attended every school event, every doctor’s appointment, every parent-teacher conference. She has maintained consistent employment until being wrongfully terminated. And she has already secured new employment at one of the most prestigious firms in the city, starting this coming Monday.”

Richard gestures to the documents in front of him. “The evidence submitted will show that Ms. Moore is a devoted, capable mother who puts her son’s needs first. Meanwhile, Mr. Reed has been largely absent from Jake’s life, prioritizing his career and personal relationships over his parental responsibilities.”

…

D

WED

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