Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 64

Chapter 45-1

Chapter 45-1

(Sabrina’s POV)

The courthouse steps feel endless as we descend into the afternoon sunlight. My legs are shaking

so badly I have to grip the railing to keep from stumbling.

“Easy.” Sophia’s arm loops through mine, steadying me. “You okay?”

“I don’t know.” The words come out breathless. “It’s surreal. The fact that l’actually won.”

Richard walks ahead of us, already on his phone coordinating the property transfer paperwork.

Behind us, I can still hear Dustin’s voice echoing through the courthouse doors, shouting

something about appeals and injustice.

“Come on.” Sophia guides me toward the parking lot. “Let’s get you out of here before he decides

to make a scene.”

The drive to the Budget Inn is quiet. Sophia doesn’t push for conversation, and I’m grateful. My mind is still spinning, trying to process everything that happened in that courtroom.

Jake’s testimony. Dustin’s face when he lost custody. The judge’s words: full physical and legal custody to Sabrina Moore.

And the pre-nuptial agreement. God, the look on Dustin’s face when he realized I’d never voided it. Like his entire world had collapsed in a single moment.

I’m not going to say I feel sorry for him. I don’t.

Which reminds me…

“You were brilliant in there.” I say to Soph. “The way you tore into Dustin, exposing his dirty laundry,

and all.”

Sophia’s hands tighten on the steering wheel. “I was only telling the truth.”

“I know. That’s what made it so powerful.” I turn to look at her profile, this woman who’s been my

best friend since college. “And I’m sorry. For what I said at your apartment. For blaming you and pushing you away. You were only trying to help, and I-”

“You were hurt.” Sophia’s voice is thick. “You had every right to be angry.”

“Maybe. But I should’ve listened to you explain instead of running away.” The words stick in my throat. “Jake’s testimony made me realize something. He said he wanted to protect me. That he was trying to make me happy. And that’s exactly what you were doing too, wasn’t it?”

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Chapter 45-1

Sophia’s eyes are shining when she glances at me. “I just wanted you to remember who you were,

before Dustin. The fierce, confident woman who didn’t take shit from anyone. The one who knew

her own worth.”

“I forgot,” I admit. “Somewhere in seven years of marriage, I forgot I was ever that person.”

“But you’re remembering now.” Sophia reaches over, squeezing my hand. “You fought for Jake. You

didn’t back down even when everything seemed impossible. That’s the Sabrina I know. The

Sabrina that’s always been there, even when you couldn’t see her.”

Tears blur my vision. “I’m sorry I blocked your number. That I said those horrible things about not

working for you. I was just-”

“Scared. I know.” Sophia pulls into the hotel parking lot, throwing the car into park before turning to

face me fully. “And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry too. I should’ve told you about the cruise before we

left. Should’ve given you a choice instead of manipulating you into it.”

“You were trying to help.”

“That doesn’t make it right.” She wipes at her eyes. “But I’d do it again. If it meant getting you away

from Dustin and showing you there are good men out there who’ll treat you the way you deserve?

I’d set up a thousand cruises.”

“So we’re okay?” I ask finally.

“We’re better than okay.” Sophia unbuckles her seatbelt. “We’re best friends. And nothing-not

Dustin, not Jessica, not even your stubborn pride-is ever going to change that.”

We hug across the center console, awkward and uncomfortable before breaking into laughter.

The hotel room looks even more depressing than I remember. Clothes scattered across the chair.

Jake’s toys covering every surface. The unmade beds and stale coffee smell.

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