Everyone looks around, wondering if she slipped in after we started.
“I don’t—” Ralph is cut off.
Cooper tenses under my touch and looks in the direction of a woman with long brown hair and an uncanny resemblance to Naomi walking down the aisle to the front of the courtroom.
“Yes, Your Honor, I’m here.”
Cooper’s hand squeezes mine, and my heart sinks. Everything feels like it’s about to crumble with one wrong move. I ignore all the voices in my head telling me this would never work and focus on being Cooper’s rock.
What makes you think you could keep Cooper if he loses Naomi?I push the thought away and focus on what’s in front of me. Those thoughts won’t win anymore, but I don’t know why I hoped we could get through this unscathed.
Chapter 44
Cooper
Somethingakintofearand disbelief makes my heart thud painfully in my chest. It feels like a hand is squeezing it to mush. I didn’t think she would come. Based on our last conversation a couple of weeks ago, I figured she made her decision.
I was wrong.
Shit.
I pull on Ralph’s jacket and he frowns at me. “Ask the judge if I can talk to her directly.”
“That’s not how this works, Cooper.”
“I didn’t think she’d be here. I need to talk to her,” I grit out.
Rebekah sits alone at the table to my right. She looks good, healthy.
“I really don’t think that’s wise. We uh … I gathered a lot of evidence proving she’s a negligent mother. I was hoping she wouldn’t show up and it wouldn’t get nasty. I’m sorry, Cooper, but this is the surest path to getting custody of Naomi,” Ralph says under his breath.
“Please ask, Ralph. Please,” I beg him.
“Well, Ralph, what is it? Have things changed?” Judge Caffrey asks.
Ralph sighs. “You’re sure, Cooper? I’ve seen families torn apart for a lot less.”
“I have to, Ralph.”
His jaw twitches, and he faces Judge Caffrey. “Your Honor, my client is wondering if he could speak to Ms. Hayes directly.”
Judge Caffrey leans back and steeples his fingers. “This is not aJerry Springershow on daytime television. I have ten other cases after yours. And I have toadmit this is highly unusual. If I agree to this, will you both keep it civil?” he asks us.
I stand and clear my throat. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Judge Caffrey looks at Rebekah, waiting for her answer. “Yes, your honor,” she says.
“Well then, approach,” Judge Caffrey says, waving us towards the bench.
Mae squeezes my hand and drops it.
I round the table and my feet feel especially heavy. This conversation could make or break us.
Judge Caffrey leans forward and waits for us.
“Rebekah, I … please let me do this. Maybe we can work something out. She’s happy, and she’s got friends. She’s doing well in school. She’s so smart. I know you know that, you saw it with your own eyes, but I just want to take care of her. I’m begging you to let me do that for her. For you.”
Rebekah blinks at me, and I can’t tell if it’s anger or resignation.
