Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 57

Chapter 40-2

+25 Points

Chapter 40-2

Tom Patterson approaches. “Mr. Reed, can you tell the court about your concerns regarding Ms. Moore’s fitness as a parent?”

“Yes.” Dustin’s expression is serious, concerned-the perfect mask of a worried father. “Over the past few weeks, Sabrina has been increasingly erratic. She quit her job without notice, left our marital home, and has been living in hotels with our five-year-old son.”

I can’t believe I never saw how shameless this man is. If he hadn’t kicked me out of our marital

house, why would Jake and I live with Sophia?

“And what about the social media videos?”

“Those videos-” Dustin’s voice tightens with what sounds like genuine emotion. “Those videos show my son being used as a prop in Sabrina’s dating life. She allowed him to post content showing her with another man without the slightest concern for his mental and emotional well being. Content that’s been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.”

“Did you consent to your son being exposed to that kind of public scrutiny?”

“Absolutely not. Jake is five years old. He can’t consent to having his life broadcast to strangers. And Sabrina-” He pauses, looking directly at me. “She was so focused on her new relationship that she didn’t consider how this would affect our son.”

Lies. Everything coming out of his mouth is a lie.

But they sound convincing. Even I can hear it-the careful way he’s framing everything to make me look selfish and unstable.

Dang it!

Where are Sophia’s Louboutins when I need them? I’m so mad I could shove them up his arse right

now.

But we’re in a court. I have to remain calm, composed, collected.

I can’t afford to lose my temper, and make a bad impression on the judge.

Tom continues. “What about Ms. Moore’s living situation?”

“She’s been staying in budget hotels for the past week. Moving Jake from place to place with no stability or routine.” Dustin shakes his head. “Our son needs stability. He needs a real home, a complete family to grow healthy, not a series of hotel rooms.”

“And you can provide that?”

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“Yes. I have a three-bedroom house in a good school district. Jessica and I are in a committed relationship. We can give Jake the stable, two-parent home he deserves.”

I want to scream. Want to stand up and shout that he’s twisting everything, making me the villain when he’s the one who destroyed our family.

But Richard’s hand touches my arm. A warning. I need to stay calm.

But this is harder than I thought. It takes everything I have not to run up to the stand and smack that bastard across the face for the shit he’s spewing, and expose his dirty laundry.

Tom finishes his questioning, and Richard stands for cross-examination.

“Mr. Reed, you mentioned being in a committed relationship with Ms. Morgan. When did that relationship begin?”

Thank goodness for Richard. I can feel he’s about to vent on my behalf.

Dustin shifts slightly. “About a month ago, when Jessica returned from New York.”

“A month ago. And when did you file for divorce from Ms. Moore?”

“Three weeks ago.”

“So you began your relationship with Ms. Morgan before filing for divorce?”

“We reconnected before I filed, yes.”

“And when exactly did you and Ms. Morgan begin a physical relationship?”

Tom half-stands. “Objection. Relevance.”

“Goes to character, Your Honor,” Richard says smoothly. “Mr. Reed is claiming Ms. Moore is unfit due to her relationship choices. I’m establishing his own history.”

Judge Whitmore considers. “I’ll allow it. Answer the question, Mr. Reed.”

Dustin’s jaw clenches. “About three weeks ago.”

“Before or after filing for divorce?”

“Before.”

“So you were having a physical relationship with Ms. Morgan while still married to Ms. Moore?”

“Yes, but-”

“Thank you.” Richard doesn’t let him finish. “Now, Mr. Reed, how many of Jake’s parent-teacher conferences have you attended in the past year?”

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Chapter 40-2

“I-I don’t recall exactly-”

+25 Point

“Then let me help you recall. According to the school records, there have been six conferences. Ms. Moore attended all six. You attended none. Does that jog your memory?”

Dustin’s face reddens. “I had work commitments-”

“Of course. Work commitments. How many of Jake’s doctor appointments have you attended?”

“I don’t have those numbers-”

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