“Okay.”
“The main concern will be stability. They want to know Zinnia has a safe, consistent home environment.”
“She does—”
“You live with three men,” Marcus says carefully. “Not judging. Just stating facts. The court will ask about that.”
My stomach drops. “It’s just two men and… will they use it against me?”
“Depends on how we frame it. If we present it as a strong support system, it helps your case. If it looks unstable or inappropriate like a college frat house, it hurts.”
“It’s not inappropriate or a college frat house, we’re just roommates.”
“I know. But you need to be able to explain the relationship in a way that makes sense to a family court judge.”
I stare at the table. “How do I do that?”
“Honestly. Who lives in the house?”
“Me. Zinnia. Jax Kingsway. Zephyr Wickerham.”
“And Callum Brixton?”
“He has his own place. But he’s around a lot.”
Marcus makes a note. “And your relationship with these men?”
The question hangs there.
“We’re friendly,” I say finally.
He watches me carefully. ”Friendly?”
I hesitate.
“I need the full truth here, Ms. Lopez, because without it, I cannot help you.”
“I... care about all three of them.”
“Romantically?”
My face heats, feeling guilty. “Yes.”
“All three?”
“Yes. Kind of. Not really. I don’t know. Right now, it’s just Jax.”
Marcus sets his pen down. “Okay. Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to be honest with the court with your current relationship. We’ll keep the focus on Jax. He’s your boyfriend, and you’re in a committed relationship with him. You have stable housing, income, and a support system. He is employed, responsible, and invested in Zinnia’s well-being.”
“What if the judge doesn’t approve?”
“Then we appeal. But I don’t think it’ll come to that. You’ve done everything right. Zinnia is thriving. That’s what matters.”
We spend the next hour going over potential questions. How to answer. What to emphasize.
By the time I leave, my head is spinning.
I drive back to the house and park in the driveway. I sit for a moment trying to catch my breath.
