The Ex Who Stole My Delivery Room - Chapter 16: Chapter 16
You are reading The Ex Who Stole My Delivery Room, Chapter 16: Chapter 16. Read more chapters of The Ex Who Stole My Delivery Room.
The courthouse hallway felt tense as we waited. Russo's lawyer, Mr. Hopper—a middle-aged man with a reassuring presence and sharp eyes—approached us with confident strides.
"Morning Darcy, Russo," he greeted, nodding. "After reviewing everything, I like our chances here."
His words sent a jolt of hope through me, but Russo's skeptical expression didn't budge.
"What's your play, Jenkins?" I couldn't help asking.
Mr. Hopper's lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Harris's track record works in our favor. His abandonment of you and Ethan proves he's not father material. And with Russo's support, we'll demonstrate you provide the stable, loving home Ethan needs."
Russo rubbed his chin, considering. "And the court's father bias?"
"That's our hurdle," Hopper admitted, his expression turning grave. "But we'll counter by spotlighting Darcy's parenting and Harris's failures. With the right strategy, we can win this."
"Plus," Hopper added with a glance at Russo, "you've got that ace up your sleeve, right?"
"Ace?" I turned to Russo, who gave a single firm nod. "At the right moment," he murmured. "You'll see."
Though confused, I felt hope flicker to life. Maybe—just maybe—we could actually win this.
Russo's gaze locked with mine, burning with quiet intensity. "We're bringing Ethan home, Darcy," he vowed, voice low and steady. "However it takes."
His certainty steadied me. With Russo beside me, even this courtroom felt conquerable.
His hand closed around mine as we entered. The judge—a stern but warm-eyed woman—greeted us from the bench. Across the aisle, Harris sat smugly beside his smirking lawyer.
(Flashback: While I was in labor, he'd been with his mistress.)
Harris's lawyer opened with brutal attacks on my character and parenting. My face burned, but Russo's grip anchored me.
Mr. Hopper countered coolly, dismantling Harris's absentee father claims. The judge listened impassively.
When my turn came, I laid bare my soul—my love for Ethan, every sacrifice, every sleepless night. My voice never wavered, even as Harris glowered.
"I'm not perfect, Your Honor. But I'm Ethan's mother. I'm begging you—don't take my child."
The courtroom held its breath. The judge's stern expression softened slightly.
"I appreciate your candor, Ms. Darcy. Mr. Harris?"
Harris's lawyer stood with a slimy smile. "My client requests joint custody with future adjustment options."
My stomach dropped, but Russo's hand squeezed mine. As Harris's lawyer outmaneuvered Hopper, the judge finally spoke:
"Having reviewed the evidence... Mr. Harris ended his affair for his son, while Ms. Darcy's new relationship seems recent. As a mother, I urge reconciliation. Barring that, joint custody seems appropriate."
My vision blurred with rage. This was disaster—until Russo stood, his voice resonating through the room:
"May I speak, Your Honor?"
"Proceed."
"You're right to prioritize Ethan's wellbeing. And since he should be with his biological parents..." Russo paused dramatically. "Then he belongs with Darcy and me."
The courtroom erupted as he dropped his bombshell:
"Ethan is my son, Your Honor. I'm his biological father—not Harris. We'll submit to DNA testing if needed."
"Morning Darcy, Russo," he greeted, nodding. "After reviewing everything, I like our chances here."
His words sent a jolt of hope through me, but Russo's skeptical expression didn't budge.
"What's your play, Jenkins?" I couldn't help asking.
Mr. Hopper's lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Harris's track record works in our favor. His abandonment of you and Ethan proves he's not father material. And with Russo's support, we'll demonstrate you provide the stable, loving home Ethan needs."
Russo rubbed his chin, considering. "And the court's father bias?"
"That's our hurdle," Hopper admitted, his expression turning grave. "But we'll counter by spotlighting Darcy's parenting and Harris's failures. With the right strategy, we can win this."
"Plus," Hopper added with a glance at Russo, "you've got that ace up your sleeve, right?"
"Ace?" I turned to Russo, who gave a single firm nod. "At the right moment," he murmured. "You'll see."
Though confused, I felt hope flicker to life. Maybe—just maybe—we could actually win this.
Russo's gaze locked with mine, burning with quiet intensity. "We're bringing Ethan home, Darcy," he vowed, voice low and steady. "However it takes."
His certainty steadied me. With Russo beside me, even this courtroom felt conquerable.
His hand closed around mine as we entered. The judge—a stern but warm-eyed woman—greeted us from the bench. Across the aisle, Harris sat smugly beside his smirking lawyer.
(Flashback: While I was in labor, he'd been with his mistress.)
Harris's lawyer opened with brutal attacks on my character and parenting. My face burned, but Russo's grip anchored me.
Mr. Hopper countered coolly, dismantling Harris's absentee father claims. The judge listened impassively.
When my turn came, I laid bare my soul—my love for Ethan, every sacrifice, every sleepless night. My voice never wavered, even as Harris glowered.
"I'm not perfect, Your Honor. But I'm Ethan's mother. I'm begging you—don't take my child."
The courtroom held its breath. The judge's stern expression softened slightly.
"I appreciate your candor, Ms. Darcy. Mr. Harris?"
Harris's lawyer stood with a slimy smile. "My client requests joint custody with future adjustment options."
My stomach dropped, but Russo's hand squeezed mine. As Harris's lawyer outmaneuvered Hopper, the judge finally spoke:
"Having reviewed the evidence... Mr. Harris ended his affair for his son, while Ms. Darcy's new relationship seems recent. As a mother, I urge reconciliation. Barring that, joint custody seems appropriate."
My vision blurred with rage. This was disaster—until Russo stood, his voice resonating through the room:
"May I speak, Your Honor?"
"Proceed."
"You're right to prioritize Ethan's wellbeing. And since he should be with his biological parents..." Russo paused dramatically. "Then he belongs with Darcy and me."
The courtroom erupted as he dropped his bombshell:
"Ethan is my son, Your Honor. I'm his biological father—not Harris. We'll submit to DNA testing if needed."
End of The Ex Who Stole My Delivery Room Chapter 16. Continue reading Chapter 17 or return to The Ex Who Stole My Delivery Room book page.