Page 130 of Pucking Daddy

Living room. Turn. Kitchen.

Only… now isn’t the time. Not with everything going on.

When she comes down the stairs a few moments later, relief hits me hard, so visceral it steals my breath. Just having her near does that to me.

She’s wearing a navy dress that somehow manages to look both professional and approachable—the exact image Rebecca recommends for the hearing. Warm but competent, she'd said. A woman who loves her family.

She isn't wrong.

Because I think that Zara might love us, too.

I know she loves Lily. But does she love me?

***

A few hours later, we climb the courthouse steps side by side.

The building looms, all marble columns and stone, designed to make you feel small.

I adjust my tie for the third time.

The courtroom itself is smaller than I expected. Wood paneling. Fluorescent lights that hum overhead.

Rachel sits at the opposite table with her lawyer, a severe woman in a charcoal suit who makes her career destroying fathers in custody battles.

My ex-wife doesn't look at me when we enter.

She keeps her eyes fixed on the documents in front of her, jaw set.

We were married for four years before everything fell apart. I loved her once, or at least I thought I did.

Looking at her now, I can’t remember what that felt like. All I see is a woman trying to take my daughter.

Rebecca guides us to our seats, her hand briefly touching my shoulder. "Remember what we discussed," she murmurs. "Short answers. Factual. Don't let them bait you."

I nod, though my stomach churns with everything I can't say.

The judge enters—a gray-haired woman with sharp eyes who’s probably seen every trick in the book.

She takes her seat, reviews some papers, then looks up at both tables.

"We're here regarding the matter of Halberg versus Halberg," she says. "Custody modification of the minor child, Lily Halberg. I understand there have been some new developments."

Rachel’s lawyer stands. “Your Honor, we have reason to believe that Mr. Halberg’s recent marriage is entered into specifically to influence these proceedings. The timeline suggests an arrangement between my client’s ex-husband and his current wife, calling into question the authenticity of their relationship and the stability of the household.”

My jaw tightens. Beside me, Zara’s hand finds my knee under the table, squeezing once.

“We’ve also submitted a request for a supplemental home evaluation,” the lawyer continues, “as well as a revised parenting plan that better reflects the reality of Mr. Halberg’s demanding career as head coach of the Metro Raptors.”

The judge turns to Rebecca. “Response?”

Rebecca rises without rushing, smoothing a hand over her blazer like she has all the time in the world.

“Your Honor,” she says calmly, “what opposing counsel is offering is speculation dressed up as concern.”

She steps forward, just enough to command the room without overplaying it. “Yes, the timeline of Mr. Halberg’s marriage is recent. That’s not in dispute. What is in dispute is the implication that this relationship is somehow fabricated or harmful to the child in question.”

I feel Zara’s fingers tighten slightly against my knee.