*12 PM, Joanne’s Cafe on 42nd Street.”
“Luna needs h
her father,” Chad said as soon as Amelia sat down.
The cafe was bustling with parents and children. The cheerful atmosphere made the two adults sitting alone stand out.
Chad lowered his voice. “She’s too young, Growing up in a single parent or blended family could affect her for life…”
carty for
melias laugh was sharp and bitter. “Let’s be honest. Chad. Any random man on the street would be a better father than you. What have you ever given her besides money? Showing up at her birthday party minutes counts as fatherhood?”
Chad took a deep breath, steadying himself. “I couldn’t avoid work. I had to earn money to support the family.”
He looked her in the eye. “You can keep blaming me, call me a bad father…”
I’ve never called you that,” Amelia interrupted
“But it’s true,” Chad replied flatly. “Luna calls me her father. When she has nightmares, she only wants to call me.
His voice grew cold. “And what you’re doing now is turning her into a suitcase, shuttling between her dad’s house and her mom’s house.”
Amelia’s laugh was icy. “If she stays with you, she’ll still need to call someone else stepmother.”
“Then there won’t be a stepmother” Chad said immediately. “If we stop the divorce, Luna won’t have one.”
Amelia’s spoon clattered onto her plate. She stared at him, stunned.
“What did you just say?”
“Let’s stop this, Chad repeated
A hollow laugh escaped her lips. “Let me guess. Things with Vianna didn’t work out? Or did you finally realize that ballerina only loves your money?”
Chad’s mouth opened, but no words came out. After a moment, he took a deep breath. “Richard is targeting me. The municipal project is stalled. This project is critical for me. I need your help.” “For Luna?” Amelia’s voice was sharp with mockery,
“How dare you use her as an excuse?”
For the first time, Chad saw contempt in her eyes. She grabbed her purse and stood up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor.
The entire cafe’s attention turned toward them. Chad reached to stop her, but she slapped his hand away.
“Chad Weatherfield, you disgust me!”
“I’m so glad I divorced you. I would never, ever reconcile with someone like you.”
“Now” Amelia pulled a silver recording pen from her coat pocket.
7’ll make sure Luna never becomes a filthy opportunist like you.”
The recording pen’s light blinked steadily. Chad recognized it–it was a Valentine’s Day gift he had given her last year,
Chapter 12: Testimony Before the Court
dawn, in the mediation room of the Third Divorce Court of New York City, Amelia entered with Elise at her side. Her sleek ponytail and black–and–white striped suit exuded confidence.
She scanned the room. Chad sat at the center of a long table, flanked by a line of elite, sharp–suited lawyers. A court clerk sat quietly in the corner.
Under the intense scrutiny of Chad’s legal team, Amelia and Elise calmly took their seats opposite him, unfazed. A sardonic smile played on Amelia’s lips.
Honestly, Chad, you never cease to amaze me,” she began. “Sitting across from me like this–calmly, as if nothing’s wrong. Using our daughter as a bargaining chip.”
Chad’s brows furrowed, and just as he opened his mouth to respond, his attomey, Michael, cut in
“We’re not here to argue Michael said firmly. “That’s pointless.” He turned to the clerk. “Shall we begin?”
Elise opened her briefcase, nodded at the clerk, and the camera was switched on.
Michael cleared his throat. “Based on the following facts, my client is petitioning for full custody of his daughter, Luna.” He pulled out a document. “First, as the CEO of Weatherfield Group, my client is in a position to provide better educational resources and social standing for the child, compared to Ms. Ainsworth, who-”
Amelia and Elise exchanged whispers during Michael’s presentation, their expressions calm, almost dismissive
When Michael finished, Elise silently opened her laptop and played a video.
The footage depicted a restaurant scene: Amelia arguing with Vianna, being shoved to the ground, and watching helplessly as her jade pendant–a keepsake from her late mother–shattered. Chad sat nearby. utterly indifferent.
Chad’s pupils contracted as he met Amelia’s funous, triumphant gaze
Amelia had endured Vianna’s assault and the destruction of her mother’s sole memento without retaliation, all for this moment–to unleash the video as an undeniable blow
Elise’s voice was icy as she addressed Michael. This surveillance footage was recorded three months before my client and your client finalized their divorce.” She turned toward the clerk’s camera. “This perfectly illustrates Mr. Weatherfield’s level of commitment to family responsibility.”
Michael chuckled faintly before countering. “My client had just returned from a banquet, clearly intoxicated. Do you have evidence of infidelity or marital misconduct?”
Elise remained composed. “He doesn’t appear intoxicated in the video, but we won’t dwell on that. This footage is for the judge’s consideration.”
She then produced another document. “Here are testimonies from several of Luna’s teachers. They confirm that Mr. Chad Weatherfield has never attended any school events, including parent–teacher conferences. Furthermore, he has rarely picked her up from school. It’s evident that he has been absent from Luna’s life Such a person is unfit to have custody.”
Before Chad or his legal team could recover, Amelia placed a voice recorder on the table.
“Should I play this for everyone?” she asked Chad coldly
Chad and his lawyers exchanged uneasy glances. Michael leaned in to whisper something to him
Chad finally broke the tension. “Amelia, if we divorce, how do you plan to handle Luna’s upbringing? I’m her father–she can’t lose me.”
Amelia’s gaze turned icy. “Are you threatening me with her?”
“No,” Chad replied, leaning forward, his knuckles whitening as he pressed his hands against the table. “She needs me. No one can replace me in her life. I just don’t want her to get hurt.” Amelia let out a sharp laugh. “Hurt? Chad, you’ve missed every important moment of her life, yet yo t you dare to claim this is about her future?”
She paused, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Don’t worry, though, I’ll find her another father. One who knows what time kindergarten ends.”
Chad slammed his hand on the table. “You’ll never make her call another man ‘father‘! I won’t allow it!”
Elise, sensing Amelia’s growing anger, gently touched her arm. “Let’s go, she urged.
Chad’s voice rang out as they turned to leave. “Amelia, think carefully, I’m Luna’s father–only me
Amelia glanced back, raised her middle finger, and walked out with Elise
The clerk packed up the camera and left. The room buzzed briefly with murmurs before falling silent. Chad’s lawyers huddled together to discuss their next steps.
Michael finally spoke in a low tone. “Mr. Weatherfield, based on the evidence your ex–wife has submitted, we’re likely to lose.
Chad’s jaw tightened. “I’m paying you to solve problems, not to tell me I lose this case.”
Some of the lawyers shifted uncomfortably. Michael maintained his composure. “Money can’t fix everything. The evidence is overwhelmingly in her favor. The judge will undoubtedly side with her.” Chad frowned, “So, you’re saying there’s no chance of winning? That I should just wait to lose?”
Michael hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “Unless we can convince the so–called “Titan of Law to take your case, your chances are slim.”
The title sparked a mix of awe and respect among the other lawyers.
Noticing Chad’s confusion, Michael explained, “She’s a prodigious lawyer. At sixteen, she started handling major cases and has never lost. That’s why people call her the Titan of Law.” “Then hire her. Money isn’t an issue.”
Michael sighed. “The problem is, she only takes divorce cases on behalf of wives.” “Then why bring her up?” Chad snapped. “Figure something out, or you’re all fired.” His frustration palpable, Chad stormed out, leaving his team in uneasy silence.
Outside the courtroom, Amelia and Elise emerged into the crisp morning air.
“You’ve always been like this,” Elise said with a smile. “Every time you meet him, it’s like you instinctively crush him. Honestly, it feels like I’m the one getting divorced, and you’re the lawyer” Amelia chuckled lightly but said nothing
Elise seized the moment. “You should come back. Reclaim the career you gave up. Let the Titan of Law shine in court again.”
Amelia hesitated.
Seeing her wavering, Elise pressed on. “Think about it. Take your time. But don’t let this part of you stay buried forever.”
