“Mr. Valdez, how would you describe your relationship with Aleesa?” Christine asked.
“We are very close. I know all of the things she likes, and she looks to me when she is scared or in need. She is ... well, she is mydaughter, and she calls me her dad. She does not know any different. Though Rafael is her biological father, she and I have a bond worth more than blood.”
“What do you believe would happen if she were taken from you and placed in the care of a man she doesn’t even know?”
“It would destroy her. She does not know a single thing about him, but she has known me since the day she came into this world. Ripping her away from everything she knows would break her heart and confuse her, and I do not believe that is in her best interest. She already struggles with sleeping in other places outside of our home when we happen to travel.”
“So would you say that placing Aleesa in anunfamiliarenvironment with anunfamiliarperson would be more harmful than beneficial to her?”
“Yes, it would be harmful. One hundred percent.”
“I believe so too. Thank you, Javier. No further questions.”
Christine trotted away to our desk, and in my periphery, I saw Rafael’s lawyer stand and mosey his way around their desk.
When he stood in front of me, I avoided a grimace. He looked like the type to represent a man like Rafael. Expensive suit, hair oily and gelled back, no beard or mustache, and a sketchy look in his eyes.
“Mr. Valdez, you are aware that you aren’t Aleesa’s biological father, correct?”
“Obviously,” I said.
“Answer with a yes or no, Mr. Valdez,” Judge Dalton said.
I sighed. “Yes, I am aware.”
“Do you believe blood relation is important in determining the best interests of the child as well?”
“Blood is not everything. Love, care, and being there every step of the way is what matters most in my opinion.”
“But how could the biological father have been able to love and care for Aleesa if he wasn’t aware of her birth?”
“He was not made aware because my wife clearly did not want him to be the one taking care of Aleesa.” This time, I glared at Rafael, who wore a smug smile and had his arms folded.
“Unfortunately, your wife is not here with us to attest to that,” the lawyer said. I clenched a fist in my lap. “The biological father never had the chance to be involved with Aleesa. Does he not deserve a chance?”
“Not in my opinion. She is perfectly fine where she is.”
“And that, too, is your opinion, Mr. Valdez. Would you say Aleesa is safe in your home?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure? Because according to Mr. Acosta, he was tackled by you and shoved by your sister. That sounds quite violent.”
“Objection, your honor,” Christine called. “Firstly, there is no proof of this happening. Secondly, Mr. Acosta came onto Javier’s personal property to inform him that he was filing for custody of his daughter—a little girl he has been attached to for four consecutive years. I have no doubt he was intentionally provoking Mr. Valdez, his family, and threatening their safety.”
“Sustained. Rephrase the question or don’t ask it, Mr. Cameron,” said Judge Dalton.
“Very well.” Cameron smirked. “Is it possible, Mr. Valdez, that the reason you do not want to share custody of Aleesa is because of your dislike for Mr. Acosta?”
“No. I do not want to share custody of my daughter with him because I do not trust him.”
“Why not? What has Mr. Acosta done, outside of his affair with your wife, that makes you believe he cannot be trusted?”
I hesitated with my response, shifting my gaze to Christine, who simply shook her head and mouthed the wordbreathe, and then to my mother and sister, who sat side by side with worried eyes.
“To me, it shows that he makes poor decisions. He chose to sleep with a married woman and got her pregnant. A man like that does not deserve to raise a daughter.”
“That was over four years ago. Are you saying Mr. Acosta is not capable of learning from his mistakes?”
