Judge Martinez’s gaze shifted to me, sitting alone at my table. “And for Ms. Williams?”
I stood on shaking legs. “Cora Williams appearing… uh… for myself, Your Honor.”
The judge’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Ms. Williams, I see you’re proceeding pro se. That means representing yourself. Are you aware of your right to have an attorney represent you in these proceedings?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Are you also aware that this is a legal proceeding that could result in permanent custody of a minor child being awarded? The stakes here are quite serious.”
My throat felt dry. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Judge Martinez leaned forward slightly. “Ms. Williams, I’m going to ask you directly. Do you wish to postpone these proceedings to obtain legal representation? I can grant a continuance of up to two weeks.”
Before I could answer, Beau was on his feet. “Your Honor, if I may, Mr. Briggs has already been separated from his son for several days now. He’s anxious to be reunited with the child, and any further delay would not serve the minor’s best interests.”
“Mr. Stanton, I wasn’t addressing you,” Judge Martinez said coolly. “Ms. Williams, the decision is yours.”
Every fiber of my being wanted to say yes, to buy myself time to find a lawyer who would actually fight for me. But I thought about Elias with the foster family, about Maya’s wishes, about Colter probably celebrating that he’d outmaneuvered me.
Judge Martinez studied me for a long moment. “Very well. However, I want to make something clear to you, Ms. Williams?—”
“Your Honor,” Jason’s voice carried from behind me. “If I may, Ms. Williams does have counsel. Her attorney should be arriving any moment.”
The judge’s gaze shifted to the gallery. “And you are?”
Jason stood. “Jason Georgiou, Your Honor. Ms. Williams’s attorney’s flight has just landed at the airport. He will be here as quickly as he can.”
I turned to stare at Jason. He’d hired a lawyer? He’d rescued me again.
“Mr. Stanton,” Judge Martinez said, “are you aware of opposing counsel?”
Beau stood with what looked like genuine surprise. “I wasn’t informed that Ms. Williams had retained representation, Your Honor.”
Judge Martinez checked her watch. “It’s now 9:05. I don’t like to start proceedings late, but I also don’t want anyone to be prejudiced by lack of counsel.” She looked at me. “Ms. Williams, how long do you expect your attorney to be?”
I honestly had no idea. I looked back at Jason helplessly.
“Your Honor,” Jason said. “I received a text that he’s in town now.”
“Very well. We’ll take a fifteen-minute recess. If counsel hasn’t arrived by 9:20, we’ll proceed with Ms. Williams representing herself.” Judge Martinez’s gavel came down sharply. “Court is in recess.”
As the judge disappeared through the side door, I turned in my chair to face Jason in the gallery behind me. “You hired me a lawyer? When? Why didn’t you tell me?”
He leaned in, his voice low. “Because I had a feeling you’d need one. I didn’t want to make you worry in case my gut feeling was wrong.”
“But he’s from Dallas. I can’t afford him, his travel, and?—”
“It’s taken care of.”
I gave a soft groan. “Jason.”
“If you represent yourself, you will lose.” His tone was firm. “Rex Hatfield is one of the best family law attorneys in Texas. If nothing else, maybe he can convince the judge to give you temporary custody over the holiday.”
Thomas appeared at Jason’s shoulder. “He just texted. He’s in the parking lot.”
I glanced at Beau and Colter, and the creep smirked. He thought he’d won this.
Because he probably thought he had. Beau knew the judges. The court system. Jason was right. If I tried to do this on myown, I’d be handing Elias to him. Knowing that, I just couldn’t bring myself to care about the money right now. Elias was worth everything.
