Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
When I made it to my car, I drew in a breath, exhaled, and started the ignition. And as I drove to the courthouse, I kept my thoughts calm and my heart set on my daughter.
I would prove to them that she did not need the change.
I would do what I had to so that my life could go back to normal.
Forty-Three
Javier
“Are you ready?” Christine swung her attention to me as we stood outside the courtroom.
“I guess so,” I said.
“Good. Remember what I told you. Keep your answers simple and concise. No need to elaborate.”
“He hardly ever elaborates,” my mother said, standing a few steps away.
“Mamá, please.” Catalina sighed.
“What?” She threw a hand into the air. “It is the truth, no?”
Christine smiled. “Rafael’s lawyer will try to point out your flaws. Don’t get angry. Count to ten if you feel yourself growing angry, then answer as best you can.”
“Okay.”
“Great.” Christine gripped the door handle and pulled it open. “Let’s win this thing.”
I followed her inside, not surprised that Rafael and his lawyer were already seated. Rafael examined me over his shoulder, and I swear he smirked before putting his focus ahead again.
Mamá and Cat sat a row behind me. Out of nowhere, my heart began hammering as I swept my gaze around the mostly empty courtroom. I had never imagined I would be in one, yet here I was. Stuck in this place, about to be questioned about my fucking parenting.
The bailiff announced the judge, and a woman with tan skin and graying hair made her way to the bench. Judge Dalton was thin lipped, with serious eyes, and according to my lawyer, this judge did not mess around and did not like her time wasted. If I could, I would have told her this whole case was a waste of time and to let it go. Rafael wasn’t worth her energy one bit.
Judge Dalton gave us a breakdown of the rules of her court, and unfortunately, I was called to the stand first.
I sat with unease, remembering Christine telling me not to look in Rafael’s direction. It was hard not to, considering how badly I wanted to knock his fucking lights out, but I managed.
“Hi, Javier,” Christine started. “Can you tell the court how long you’ve been Aleesa’s father?”
“Since the day she was born,” I answered.
“So that makes her how old?” asked Christine.
“Four years old.”
“Can you explain what it has been like raising Aleesa?”
“Well, when she was a baby, I would wake up in the middle of the night to feed her, and if I could not or if I was away for a game, I had my mother or sister around. I play games with her. We color and do lots of puzzles. I taught her how to swim. I read her favorite books to her. And when I am unable to be home, I have a live-in nanny that takes very good care of her. It is not an easy job being a parent, but I would not trade it for anything in this world.”
“It’s incredible you manage to handle so much while being a professional athlete. You’re right. That’s definitely not easy.”
“It is not.”
“Mr. Valdez, how would you describe your relationship with Aleesa?” Christine asked.
“We are very close. I know all of the things she likes, and she looks to me when she is scared or in need. She is . . . well, she is my daughter, and she calls me her dad. She does not know any different. Though Rafael is her biological father, she and I have a bond worth more than blood.”
“What do you believe would happen if she were taken from you and placed in the care of a man she doesn’t even know?”
“It would destroy her. She does not know a single thing about him, but she has known me since the day she came into this world. Ripping her away from everything she knows would break her heart and confuse her, and I do not believe that is in her best interest. She already struggles with sleeping in other places outside of our home when we happen to travel.”
“So would you say that placing Aleesa in an unfamiliar environment with an unfamiliar person would be more harmful than beneficial to her?”
“Yes, it would be harmful. One hundred percent.”
“I believe so too. Thank you, Javier. No further questions.”
Christine trotted away to our desk, and in my periphery, I saw Rafael’s lawyer stand and mosey his way around their desk.
When he stood in front of me, I avoided a grimace. He looked like the type to represent a man like Rafael. Expensive suit, hair oily and gelled back, no beard or mustache, and a sketchy look in his eyes.
“Mr. Valdez, you are aware that you aren’t Aleesa’s biological father, correct?”
“Obviously,” I said.