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

85 Chapters

Choosing Sides

Jake's POVI sat in my car outside Margaret's hotel for twenty minutes after that phone call.Three days. I had three days before my mother tried to take custody of Alex from both of us.Three days to figure out how to stop her.Three days to fix the mess I had created.I pulled out my phone. Stared at Emma's contact.We had not had a real conversation in weeks. Just cold texts about schedules and handoffs. Just anger and accusations and pain.But if we were going to survive Margaret's attack, we had to work together.I called her.She answered on the third ring. "Jake?""We need to talk. About the custody case."Silence. Then her voice, tight with fear. "If you are calling to negotiate surrender terms, I cannot afford whatever you want. I have nothing left to give.""That is not why I am calling. Emma, please. Just meet me. Somewhere neutral. We need to talk. It is important."Another long silence."Where?""The park near Alex's school. In an hour.""Okay."She hung up.I drove to th

Last Updated : 2025-10-26

The First Hearing

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

Last Updated : 2025-10-27

Forced Co-Parenting Begins

Jake's POVThe custody schedule was simple on paper.One week with me. One week with Emma. Exchange every Sunday at 6 PM at a neutral location.In reality, it was a nightmare.The first exchange happened at a coffee shop parking lot. Emma pulled up in a taxi with Alex in the back seat.I got out of my car. She got out of the taxi.We stood there like strangers at a business transaction."He has his homework in his backpack," Emma said. Not looking at me. "And his hockey gear. Practice is Wednesday at four.""I know. I have the schedule.""Right. Of course." She called to Alex. "Come on, baby. Time to go with Dad."Alex climbed out slowly. Looked between us. "Can you both come in and have coffee?""No, buddy. Your mom has to go." I took his bag. "Say goodbye."Alex hugged Emma. Held on too long. When he pulled away, I saw tears in his eyes."I love you, Mom.""I love you too, baby. I will see you next Sunday." Emma's voice cracked. "Be good for your dad."She got back in the taxi. Did

Last Updated : 2025-10-28

Building an Alliance

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

Last Updated : 2025-10-28

The Psychological Evaluation

Emma's POVThe evaluation was scheduled for Wednesday morning at nine.Three hours of testing. Interviews. Questions about every choice I had ever made.I sat in the waiting room of Dr. Mendes' office trying not to throw up.Sarah had come with me. Held my hand while we waited."You are going to be fine," she said. "Just tell the truth. Answer honestly. They will see you are a good mother.""Or they will see I am exactly what Margaret claims. Unstable. Manipulative. Unfit.""Emma—""Ms. Reed?" A woman appeared in the doorway. Mid-fifties. Professional. Kind eyes but stern expression. "I am Dr. Mendes. Please come with me."I followed her into an office. Small. Clinical. A desk covered with papers and recording equipment."Have a seat. This evaluation will take approximately three hours. I will be asking you questions about your background, your choices, your mental health history. I will also administer some standardized psychological tests. Everything will be recorded and submitted t

Last Updated : 2025-10-29

The Results

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

Last Updated : 2025-10-29

The Hospital

Jake's POVI broke every speed limit getting to Hospital São José.Parked illegally. Ran through the emergency room doors."Emma Reed," I said to the nurse at reception. "She was in a car accident. I am the father of her son."The nurse checked her computer. "Room 7. Down the hall on the left."I ran.Found room 7. Pushed through the curtain.Emma lay on a hospital bed. Small. Pale. A bandage on her forehead. Her left arm in a temporary splint.Sarah sat beside her holding Alex. My son's face was red from crying."Dad!" Alex jumped down. Ran to me. I caught him. Held him tight."I am here, buddy. I am here.""Mom got hurt. The car hit her. There was so much noise and broken glass and—" He was sobbing now. Shaking."I know. But she is okay. Look, she is right here. She is okay."Emma's eyes opened. Focused on me. Tried to smile but winced."Jake. You came.""Of course I came." I set Alex down gently. Walked to her bed. "What happened?""Drunk driver ran a red light. Rear-ended the taxi

Last Updated : 2025-10-29

Under the Same Roof

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

Last Updated : 2025-10-29

Fighting Together

Jake's POVWe spent the rest of the night preparing.Dr. Carvalho arrived at my apartment at 10 PM. Took one look at Emma sitting on my couch with a bandage on her head and a splint on her wrist and said, "This is what we are dealing with. Margaret will use every visual. Every vulnerability. We need to be ready.""What is the strategy?" I asked."United front. You two need to show the judge that despite Emma's injuries, Alex is safe and cared for. That you are co-parenting successfully. That the accident changes nothing.""How do we show that?" Emma asked. Her voice was tired. Strained."Jake testifies for you. Tells the judge that you are staying with him during recovery. That you are working together. That Alex is thriving with both parents involved." Dr. Carvalho looked at me. "But Jake, are you willing to do that? Publicly defend Emma in court? Against your own mother?""Yes.""Even if it means burning that bridge completely?""The bridge is already burned. My mother tried to use

Last Updated : 2025-11-01

Awkward Domesticity

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

Last Updated : 2025-11-01

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