“I’ll tell you how. I’m going to use every resource I have,” he says. “Every lawyer, every connection, every dollar I have—it’s all going toward making sure Steven never gets anywhere near you or April. I promise you that.”
I search his face, looking for any sign that this is too much to ask. That he’s going to realize what a mess I’ve brought into his life and decide it’s not worth it.
But all I see is determination and certainty.
Steven might have the legal right to file for custody. He might have a lawyer and a plan and all the manipulation tactics he’s honed over the years.
But I have Grant. And that makes me feel a whole hell of a lot better about my odds in this fight.
Chapter 44
Grant
The law office takes up the entire top floor of a downtown high-rise, and I have to school my features to keep from grimacing at the stuffy pretentiousness of it all.
But I only want to deal with the best of the best, and I’ve been assured that this is the team of lawyers I want on my side.
Three of them are sitting across from me and Heather in the conference room—two men and a woman, all with crisp suits and ramrod posture. The lead attorney, Richard, has a stack of folders in front of him that’s at least three inches thick.
Heather sits next to me, her hands folded tightly in her lap. She’s clearly made an effort to look put together, but the tension still shows in her shoulders and in the tightness around her eyes. Her knee bounces once beneath the table before she stills it, drawing in a slow breath.
“Mr. Parker, Ms. Lucas, thank you for meeting with us on such short notice,” he says, opening the top folder. “We’ve had a chance to review everything you sent over—the school incident report, the phone records, your statement about the history with your ex.”
“And?” I lean forward, then settle back into my chair again, trying and failing to hide my impatience. “What’s our position?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “Strong. Very strong, in fact. Steven Walsh hasn’t had any contact with the child in over nine years. He’s not on any school records, medical records, or emergency contact lists. He has no established relationship with April whatsoever.”
“But he’s on the birth certificate,” Heather says, her voice quiet but steady, repeating the words that I know have been eating at her since Steven’s phone call. “He said that gives him rights.”
“Being on a birth certificate establishes paternity, yes. But it doesn’t automatically grant him custody or even visitation rights, especially given the circumstances.” The woman—Jennifer Stahl, according to the nameplate in front of her—pulls out another document. “Colorado law prioritizes the best interests of the child. A judge is going to look at April’s current situation, her stability, her relationship with her mother, and weigh that against what Mr. Walsh is offering.”
“Which is nothing,” the third lawyer adds. His name is Mario Wise, and he’s been taking notes this entire time. “He hasn’t ever paid child support. Hasn’t even attempted contact until now. He has no relationship with the child. This is textbook.”
“Textbook what?” I look from face to face, waiting for one of them to spell it out.
“A nuisance case,” Richard says. “Mr. Walsh is using the legal system to harass and intimidate Ms. Lucas. It’s unfortunately pretty common in situations involving domestic abuse or controlling behavior.”
The word ‘abuse’ makes my jaw clench. I glance at Heather and see her flinch, her fingers tightening together in her lap. I’ve been trying not to think too hard about what Heather’s life must have been like with Steven. But it’s way too easy to imagine all the ways he made her feel small and scared and trapped.
And I’ll never forget that he put that bruise on her arm.
“So we can get this thrown out?” I ask.
“Eventually, yes. But we have to go through the process first.” Richard flips through more pages. “He’ll file his petition for custody or visitation rights. We’ll file our response, including a request for a restraining order based on the school incident and the threatening phone calls. There will be a hearing, possibly mediation?—”
“How long will it all take?” she asks, her gaze lifting to meet his for the first time.
“Weeks. Maybe months, depending on the court’s schedule.”
Months.
Months of Heather living in fear that Steven might somehow succeed. Months of April not understanding why her mom is stressed all the time. Months of this hanging over all of us.
I reach over and take Heather’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She squeezes back, like she needs the reminder that she’s not alone.
“What will his strategy be?” Heather asks, her voice barely above a whisper. “What possible argument can his lawyers make?”
Jennifer exchanges a glance with Richard before answering. “Based on what you’ve told us, he’ll likely argue that your living situation is unstable. Moving frequently, currently staying with someone you’ve only recently become involved with, and no permanent address.”
