I know it won’t.
RAY
“I’m calm,” I say.I’m not.“Continue.”
Richard Borne shifts in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. His gaze flicks between me and Dale, who’s pacing like a caged animal.
“He’s claiming Anika is suicidal,” Richard says carefully. “Do you know anything about that?”
My jaw tightens. “How would he know that? He doesn’t see her.” I shake my head. “It’s bullshit. Anika’s fine.”
“So, she hasn’t expressed thoughts of harming herself?”
“No,” I snap, then I take another breath to rein it in slightly. “Not seriously. She talks about the future. About Sebastian. About what happens if she’s not around. She’s a single mother, Richard, of course she thinks about those things.”
“And he’s using that against her in the appeal.”
Dale stops pacing, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Let me get this straight,” he mutters. “He sets the original terms, gets what he wants, and now he’s appealing anyway?”
“He’s changing his position,” Richard replies. “His wife knows about Anika and Sebastian now, and she’s fully supporting him. They believe Sebastian would be better off with them. They’re willing to allow visitation—”
“You’re talking like this is already decided,” I cut in, my voice turning sharp. “It’s not. Sebastian isn’t going anywhere.”
Richard exhales slowly, like he expected that reaction. “On paper,” he says, “they present a stronger case. Stable household, two parents, proven track record raising children—”
“So?” I snap.
He slides a photograph across the desk. “Elaina Oakley. Luke’s wife.”
I don’t even glance at it properly. “I know who she is,” I say coldly. “Get to the point.”
“Then you know her father is a wealthy banker and her trust fund is ridiculous. They’re arguing they can offer Sebastian opportunities that Anika can’t.”
I let out a short, humourless laugh. “Do you know who was there when that kid was born?” I ask, my voice dropping dangerously low. “Me. I cut the fucking cord. I brought him home. I looked after Anika.”
My words are met with silence.
“I pay for his schooling,” I continue. “His childcare. I even cover the damn medical bills for Luke’s fucking ex-mistress.” The words burn on the way out. “So, no, I’m not letting him take that kid because it’s the only thing she has left.”
Dale leans against the desk, frowning. “There’s something off here,” he says. “Luke’s never given a shit about Sebastian. Now, suddenly, he’s playing happy families? Even telling his wife about an affair that he’s kept hidden for years?”
“Nothing Luke does makes sense,” I mutter.
Dale turns to Richard. “If he gets full custody, what does he gain financially?”
Richard hesitates. “Maintenance, potentially. And if anything were to happen to Anika, Sebastian’s inheritance would be held in trust. Luke wouldn’t have direct access, but—”
“He’d find a way,” I finish.
We fall into silence, all trying to work through our racing thoughts.
“I’ll have Anika transfer her assets to me,” I say, shrugging.
Richard blinks. “That could take time. He’s pushing to fast-track the hearing.”
“Then you’d better move faster.”
He exhales, tension lining his face. “There’s one more thing. He’s requested the same judge as before.”