"And what about love, Mr. Morrison? What about emotional support and stability?"
"Of course, those things matter. But love doesn't pay for college or open doors in the business world."
"So, you're saying that financial advantages are more important than emotional well-being?"
Derek realizes his mistake too late. "That's not what I said."
"Actually, Mr. Morrison, it's exactly what you said. Now, during Emma's pregnancy, did you provide emotional or financial support?"
"We were having relationship difficulties..."
"That's not what I asked. Did you provide support of any kind during Emma's pregnancy?"
The pause stretches long enough to be damning. "The situation was complicated."
"It's a yes or no question, Mr. Morrison. Did you support the mother of your child during her pregnancy?"
"No."
"And after Tommy was born, did you visit him? Send gifts? Express any interest in his well-being?"
"I was giving Emma space to figure things out."
"For eight months? You gave her space for eight months?"
"Yes."
"Until you learned about the life insurance settlement."
Derek's lawyer objects, but the timeline is clear. Derek Morrison abandoned his son and only returned when there was profit to be made.
When Judge Henley calls for a recess, I feel like I can breathe for the first time in hours. Sawyer's hand finds mine immediately, warm, steady, and reassuring.
"How do you think it went?" I whisper to Rebecca.
"Better than I hoped," she admits. "Derek came across exactly as we wanted him to. Cold, calculating, and more interested in the Morrison legacy than in Tommy's welfare."
When the court reconvenes, Judge Henley delivers her decision with the measured authority of someone who's made thousands of similar rulings.
"The court finds that the minor child, Thomas Graham, is currently in a stable, loving environment with his aunt and her husband. The petitioner, Derek Morrison, has failed to demonstrate that a change in custody would serve the child's best interests."
The words wash over me like a wave of relief so strong I almost miss the rest.
"Furthermore, the court notes that Mr. Morrison's abandonment of both the child and his mother during pregnancy, followed by his absence during the child's first eight months of life, demonstrates a pattern of behavior inconsistent with the best interests of the child. The petition for custody modification is denied."
It's over.
Tommy is mine. Ours. Forever.
Derek's face goes red with fury, and he says something sharp to his lawyer, but I can't hear it over the rushing in my ears. Sawyer's arm comes around me, solid and warm, and I lean into him like he's the only thing keeping me upright.
"It's over," he murmurs against my hair. "He can't hurt you anymore. He can't take Tommy."
"We won?"
"We won."
When we walk out of the courthouse twenty minutes later, Derek and Melissa are nowhere to be seen. But that's fine with me. I never want to see Derek Morrison again as long as I live.
