The Legal Battle Begins

Simone

How did this happen?

I crossed my arms in the wake of the turmoil, and my eyes wouldn’t leave the door Anthony Powell limped out of. Like a zombie, he’d risen from the dead and planned on taking my baby away. His stern warning sent a chill down my spine.

“Don’t try to disappear. I’ll find you."

Fuck!

I swallowed roughly and began pacing the nursery. I thought it was a dream, but the scent of his cologne lingered, and the imprints he made on the carpet with his cane remained.

He’s going to take Nori away.

I slid my cell phone out of my pocket and opened my banking app. The balance was depressing. Even with the cash he provided me, there was a slim chance I could win a court battle against the man who had money at his disposal.

“What will I do?” I whispered.

My feet dragged me to the crib, where my child slept soundly. I peered at her with a smile. “You’re the only thing in this world that’s mine, Nori.”

I was being selfish. He was her father, and he’d probably provide a better life for her than I could. He adored her, even when she was a bundle of cells. I could imagine the two of them walking hand in hand with the same black curls, gray eyes, and crooked smiles. And where would I be in the equation? Would Nori remember me? Would he tell her about me? Would he change her name?

I’d be erased as if I never existed. As if my love for her didn’t matter.

I don’t think I can survive this.

I slid to the floor and pressed my forehead against my knees as I tried to regulate my breathing. How could I go on without my heart? Nori had been a part of me for almost two years. I’d forgotten how to be alone.

My throat dried as I faced the uncomfortable facts. I couldn’t outrun Anthony—that much was clear. He had more resources and money than I did.

I can’t run. I can’t hide. All I can do is fight.

I crawled on my knees to the crib and held onto the wooden bars.

“I’m gonna fight, baby. You’ll see. Maybe you would…have more…with him: more toys, space, pretty dresses, and a private school education. I’m sorry, but…I love you, Nori, and I know we can be happy. It doesn’t take much—just me and you dancing together on the porch.”

I lay on the rug and closed my eyes. I doubted I’d get any rest—too much on my mind.

Why can’t we share her? It’s only fair, but no, Anthony Powell is a selfish prick.

***

The night faded into morning without me getting a lick of sleep. Shockingly, Nori hadn’t woken yet. Her father’s unexpected appearance must’ve drained her as much as it did me. I paused when I heard knocking at the door.

It’s barely 8:00 in the morning. Has he come so soon to take Nori away?

I unlocked the multiple locks, prepared to give Anthony a piece of my mind. Instead of Anthony, I was greeted by a lean but handsome man in an expensive suit. He pushed his glasses up his nose anxiously and shifted in his spot.

“Hello, Ms. Livingston. I’m Jonathan Baker. I’m representing Mr. Powell. May I come in?”

“Right now is not a good time. I—”

“I insist. I won’t take up too much of your time.”

“Fine. Make it quick,” I demanded, standing aside to give him room to enter. “Would you like some coffee?” I asked in an attempt to be hospitable as he followed me to my cramped kitchen.

“No, thank you.”

I shrugged my shoulders dismissively, and he sat at the kitchen table. I glared vehemently at the nervous attorney who shuffled through papers, trying to get his life in order.

“The contract you signed was unambiguous,” he stated. He looked up at me before ducking behind the papers. “If you take this to court, you will exhaust your funds and lose.” He shifted and slid a copy of the contract over to me. I didn’t bother looking at it. I knew what it said. “You agreed that you wouldn’t have any parental or visitation rights to the child. Also, Nori isn’t biologically yours. This could be seen as a kidnapping.”