Chapter 5 - Let him come first 

The office was quiet except for the soft click of a keyboard. 

Arabella sat behind her desk wearing a navy dress that fit her well, and her hair was pulled back in a neat bun. Her eyes stayed on the spreadsheet in front of her as she was already working on a financial analysis for a new acquisition, even though the morning had barely started.

Once, her phone vibrated.

"Roman Vale has filed for paternity rights" is an unknown number.

She gazed at the text, and her fingers stopped on the keyboard for a moment.

Then, without a word, she pushed back from her desk and stood.

Her voice was calm as she called out.

"Philip."

Her assistant entered right away with a pile of documents. "Yes?"

She handed him the phone.

Without saying a word. She just passed it over.

When he read it, His face shifted, and his jaw was clenched; his eyes flicked up to hers.

"Already?" He whispered, with a thick voice full of disbelief. "He wasted no time."

She opened the filing cabinet behind her without looking at him.

 “Call Martin,” she said. "I want him in my office within thirty minutes.”

Philip hesitated, "Your business lawyer or"

She turned, slow and sharp.

“My family lawyer".

There was no mistaking the steel in her voice.

Philip gave a quick nod and rushed out, already dialing.

Arabella walked back to her chair like it was a throne.

She sat tall, composed, legs crossed, her expression unreadable.

Outside, the city kept moving. But in this room, everything had changed.

This wasn’t panic.

This wasn’t painful.

This was the moment before the fire.

And it was already underway

Roman had made no further attempt to communicate with her. No phone calls, no meeting requests were made, and He went directly to court.

Sophie wasn't the issue.

It had to do with control.

Furthermore, he was completely unaware of how poorly he had just portrayed himself.

—

Roman stood looking at the pile of papers in his lawyer's office.

Jonathan declared, "She will fight it."

Roman didn’t blink. "I'm not interested in the fight.” “I am entitled to see my daughter.”

Jonathan inhaled deeply. "You do, but be ready for anything. Arabella is more than just your former partner. She is now Honoured, well-known, and she has the financial means to erect a wall higher than most.”

Roman spoke softly. "She won't prevent me from seeing my daughter."

Jonathan looked at him for a long moment. “I’m not saying she’ll try to hurt you, but if you think she’s the same girl you left behind, you’re already losing.”

Roman’s jaw clenched, but His eyes never left the documents.

“You must exercise caution,” Jonathan said, his voice low. “This isn’t just about feelings anymore.”

"I didn't leave my kid behind, "Roman muttered.

"You left the mother behind," Jonathan snapped, sharper than before.

Roman looked away.

“She'll make use of that,” Jonathan said softly now, but still firm. The media will devour it," Jonathan continued. "Your reputation will be gone if this is made public”.

“Let it go public,” Roman said, turning around. “I am not going to run.”

Jonathan gave him a look before slowly nodding. "All right. I'll then get ready for mediation.

Roman nodded once, then grabbed his coat. "She’ll come to the table.”

However, he felt a weight in his chest that had never been there before, even as he was leaving.

Because he secretly doubted that Arabella would attend any table.

She was not playing his game this time.

—

Exactly twenty-eight minutes later, Martin, Arabella's family lawyer, entered her office.

He was a broad-shouldered man in his sixties, as sharp as ever, with a cool head and a strategic instinct that had won custody battles for other clients in the past, and now he is fighting for her.

He sat down opposite her and said, "Show me what we're dealing with."

He took the text from Arabella.

She gave him the paper

He read it out loud: “Paternity rights.”

She gave a nod. "Like he never left my life, now he wants to worm his way into hers."

Martin tapped his notebook with a pen. He will insist on a DNA test before filing in family court. “Is that okay with you?”

"That's okay with me," she said.

"If he is later shown to be the father, he will probably ask for visitation."

Arabella's mouth tightened. "Not without supervision."

Martin gave a nod. "Until a slow bond is formed, we can advocate for minimal contact. A five-year-old girl who has been absent all of her life will not be given to a man by the court. Not a man with Roman's past, in particular.

Arabella reclined. "Avoid any leaks to the media."

Martin grinned. "There are others who are skilled at covering tracks besides you."

She gave a nod.

Then she got up and moved towards the window.

She whispered, "I don't want Sophie used as a trophy."

Martin answered, "She won't be." "We'll keep her safe."

Arabella gazed at the city.

Roman might believe that he was beginning a conflict.

He was unaware, however, that she had already made war preparations.

—

Arabella left the office earlier than normal that afternoon.

Without a driver or employees, she picked Sophie up from preschool herself.

Sophie was holding a drawing she had done of a rabbit while standing close to the door in her tiny blue uniform.

She ran into Arabella's arms and exclaimed, "Mama!"

Arabella leant over and gave her a firm embrace.

"Hello, my dear."

Sophie withdrew and displayed the illustration. "I created this for you."

As she smoothed her daughter's hair, Arabella grinned. It's stunning. When we get home, I'll frame it.

Arabella held her daughter's hand tightly as they made their way to the parking lot.

However, a man moved forward as they got closer to the black sedan.

Roman.

Instinctively, Arabella tightened her hold on Sophie's hand.

Sophie gave him a blink. "Who is that?"

Arabella's heart was racing.

Roman's eyes were fragile as he gazed at Sophie.

He slowly knelt. "Hello, my love."

Arabella moved ahead of her. "What are you doing, in your opinion?"

Roman got back up and remarked, "I just wanted to see her."

Arabella looked around at the teachers, parents, and children. Too many watching eyes.

She gently said to Sophie, "Get in the car."

Sophie paused.

"Now, sweetheart."

With the driver holding the door, Sophie complied and climbed into the back seat.

After closing the door, Arabella turned to face Roman, her voice cold.

"You don't go up to her in public. You don't speak to her without my consent.

Roman spoke quietly. "She is my daughter."

"You're not allowed to say that. Not in this place. Not in this manner.

He reiterated, "I just wanted to see her."

"Want to see her?" Arabella said, taking a step forward. Then take it to court. Not outside of a school where she feels secure. I'll file a restraining order so quickly that your legal team won't have time to react if you ever do this again.

Roman's throat constricted. "I didn't mean"

"You are never significant. She cut in, her voice like frost.“That is your issue”.

Before he could respond, she climbed into the car and slammed the door.

Sophie looked up inside. "Was that someone you knew?"

Arabella forced a smile. "No, sweetheart. Just a former acquaintance of mine.

—

She watched her daughter sleep that night while lounging on the couch.

After pouring her a glass of wine, Philip placed it on the table.

"He's pushing," he muttered.

"I understand."

"Do you want me to continue watching him?"

She gave him a look. Indeed. Be discreet. I want to know before he exits the car if he begins to show up at Sophie's school once more.

Philip took a seat across from her after nodding.

After a pause, he said, "Are you okay?"

Arabella took a while to respond.

Then she turned to face him. "I despise him for his actions. However, his attempt to use her to absolve himself of his guilt makes me detest him even more.

Philip spoke steadily. "So, don't let him prevail."

Slowly, she nodded.

She whispered, "He's going to push harder."

Philip cocked his head. "Then make a stronger pushback."

Leaning back against the cushions, Arabella gazed up at the ceiling.

"Allow him to come," she muttered.