All Chapters of Breaking Up With The Hottest Man On Ice : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Emma's POVI did not sleep.Could not sleep. Just lay in bed staring at the ceiling counting down the hours until the hearing.Twenty hours. Fifteen hours. Ten hours.At 6 AM I gave up. Got up. Made coffee I could not drink. Tried on three different outfits before settling on the only professional clothes I owned. A simple black dress I had bought at a thrift store years ago. Worn but clean.Not expensive like Margaret's designer suits. But it was all I had.Sarah came by at seven. Looked at me and said, "You look like you are going to your own execution.""I feel like I am.""You are going to be okay. Jake is on your side now. That has to count for something.""Jake is on Alex's side. Not mine. There is a difference."But I was grateful anyway. Grateful he had helped me get a lawyer. Grateful he was fighting with me instead of against me.The legal aid lawyer Jake arranged met us at the courthouse at eight thirty. Her name was Dr. Santos. Young. Overworked. Carrying a briefcase that

Emma's POVI sat in Dr. Carvalho's office Monday morning with Jake beside me.Two parents who barely spoke to each other a week ago. Now united against a common enemy."We need to stop Margaret's visits," Jake said. "She is using them to poison Alex against Emma. That cannot continue."Dr. Carvalho nodded. "I can file an emergency motion to suspend or modify the visitation. But I need to be honest. Judges do not like changing their orders without significant evidence of harm.""Alex is coming home upset. Confused. Questioning his mother because of things Margaret is saying." Jake's voice was tight. "How is that not harm?""It is harm. But we need documentation. The social worker's reports. Alex's own testimony. Something concrete that shows Margaret is causing psychological damage.""How long will that take?" I asked."At least two weeks. Maybe more."Two more visits. Two more opportunities for Margaret to twist my son's mind against me."File the motion," Jake said. "We will get the

Jake's POVThe envelope arrived on a Tuesday morning.Court letterhead. Thick. Official.I stared at it for five minutes before opening it.Psychological Evaluation Results - Alexander Reed-Sullivan Custody CaseMy hands shook as I pulled out the report.Twenty pages. Single-spaced. Every detail of Emma's evaluation documented and analyzed.I flipped to the conclusion first.Summary: Subject Emma Reed demonstrates no psychological concerns that would impair her ability to parent. While subject has history of making choices under extreme duress, these choices were motivated by protective instinct rather than malicious intent. Subject shows appropriate attachment to child, demonstrates consistent parenting skills, and has provided stable and loving environment despite significant financial limitations.Subject openly acknowledges past mistakes and shows genuine remorse. Subject is actively working to improve financial situation and has demonstrated ability to co-parent effectively with

Emma's POVI woke up disoriented.White ceiling. Soft couch. Blanket I did not remember getting.Where was I?Then it came back. The accident. The hospital. Jake bringing me to his apartment.I sat up slowly. My head pounded. My wrist throbbed in its splint.The apartment was quiet. Morning light filtered through large windows. Everything was clean. Modern. Expensive but not cold.And on the walls. Photos.I stood carefully. Walked closer.Alex. Dozens of photos of Alex.School pictures from this year. Photos from hockey practice. Recent ones Jake must have taken. Alex laughing. Alex playing. Alex being a kid.Jake had built a home for our son. Not just a space. A home.With photos and memories and love visible in every frame.My chest tightened."You are awake." Jake's voice came from behind me. "How do you feel?""Like I got hit by a car." I turned to face him. "What time is it?""Just after 9 AM. The hearing was postponed until tomorrow because of your accident. Dr. Carvalho called

Emma's POVMoving into Jake's apartment felt surreal.Sarah brought Alex and our things the next morning. Three suitcases. Some of Alex's toys. My laptop. The essentials for two weeks."This is temporary," I kept saying. To Sarah. To myself. "Just until I recover.""Sure," Sarah said with a knowing look. "Temporary."Alex ran through the apartment exploring. "Mom, look! Dad has a huge TV! And there is a park across the street! And my room here has a window that looks at the city!""It is nice, baby.""Can we stay here forever?""No. Just for two weeks while I heal.""But we could stay longer, right? We are all together like a real family now!"Jake appeared in the doorway. "Let your mom settle in, buddy. She needs to rest.""But Dad, this is so cool! We are all living together!""I know. But remember, it is temporary. Just to help Mom while she recovers."Alex's face fell. "Oh. Right. Temporary."He went to his room. Left Jake and me standing awkwardly in the living room."He is going