PART 18:

You want to change custody. It wasn’t a question. We want what’s best for Sophie, Eleanor said. Surely you want that, too. Of course I want what’s best for her. And what’s best for her is the arrangement we already have. Is it? The lawyer spoke for the first time. Mr. Hayes, I’ve reviewed your financial situation.

Freelance income, rented apartment, no significant savings. Meanwhile, Miranda can provide private schools, college funds, opportunities you simply cannot match. Sophie doesn’t need private schools. She needs her father. She needs stability, security, things you’re frankly not in a position to provide. Ariana’s hand found Daniel’s under the table. Her voice was ice when she spoke.

This is ridiculous. Daniel’s an excellent father. Sophie’s happy, healthy, thriving. You have no grounds for challenging custody. Ariana, this doesn’t concern you, Eleanor said. Like hell it doesn’t. You’re using me as ammunition against him. That makes it my concern. You’re proving our point. This relationship is causing conflict, creating problems where none existed before.

The only problem is you manufacturing a crisis to maintain control. Eleanor’s expression hardened. Watch your tone. Or what? You’ll threaten my custody, too? Ariana laughed, sharp and bitter. I don’t have kids, Mother. You don’t have leverage over me anymore. Don’t I? Eleanor’s smile was thin. Your company’s expansion project needs city approval.

Approvals that can be delayed, complicated, made difficult by well-placed phone calls. You wouldn’t. Try me. Daniel watched the exchange, rage building in his chest. This was what the Blakes did. Threatened, manipulated, used power to crush anyone who didn’t fall in line. Enough, he said quietly. Everyone turned to him.

This isn’t about Sophie’s well-being. This is about control, about punishing me for moving on, about putting Ariana back in her place. Well, it’s not going to work. Mr. Hayes, the lawyer started. I’m not finished. You want to challenge custody? Go ahead. Try. You’ll lose. Because I have 2 years of documentation showing I’m a good father.

School records, medical records, teachers who’ll testify that Sophie’s happy and healthy. You have what? The fact that I’m dating someone you don’t approve of? That won’t hold up in any court. Daniel, Miranda began. No. You don’t get to do this anymore. You don’t get to use Sophie as a weapon because you’re angry. I have found someone who actually gives a damn about me.

You had your chance. You walked away. You don’t get to punish me for moving on. He stood. Ariana stood with him. We’re done here, Daniel said. Sit down, Eleanor commanded. No. I came because you demanded it. I listened to your threats. Now I’m leaving. If you want to challenge custody, talk to my lawyer. Her name is Sarah Chen.

Ironically, no relation to your guy here. He turned toward the door. Ariana followed. Daniel! Miranda’s voice was sharp. If you walk out that door, this gets ugly. It’s already ugly, he said without turning back. You made it ugly the second you threatened Sophie. They made it to the foyer before Eleanor’s voice rang out.

Ariana Blake, if you walk out with him, there will be consequences. Ariana stopped, turned. There are always consequences with you, Mother. I’m tired of being afraid of them. Then she took Daniel’s hand and they walked out together. The night air hit like a slap. Daniel was shaking, adrenaline and rage making his hands unsteady.

Ariana was trembling, too. That was she started. Awful. Terrible. Worse than I imagined. I was going to say liberating. He looked at her. She was smiling, fierce and defiant. Liberating? I’ve never stood up to her like that. Never. And it felt amazing. Despite everything, Daniel laughed. You’re insane. Probably. But I meant what I said.

I’m done being afraid. They stood in the driveway, neither quite ready to leave yet. She’ll make good on those threats, Daniel said. The custody challenge, complications for your company, all of it. Let her try. I’ve got lawyers, too. Good ones. And the city council owes me favors. She’s not as powerful as she thinks.

And if she is? Ariana stepped closer, hands on his chest. Then we deal with it together, like we said. Daniel pulled her into a hug, needing the contact, the reassurance that he wasn’t alone in this. Thank you, he said into her hair. For coming, for standing up for me, for not running. Thank you for not backing down, for not letting them bully you into giving up.

They stood like that for a long moment, drawing strength from each other. Finally, Ariana pulled back. What now? Now I call my lawyer. Tell her to prepare for a custody battle, and I go home to Sophie and pretend everything’s fine because she doesn’t need to know about any of this. And us? Us? Daniel cupped her face.

We keep going, if you still want to. I still want to, even knowing it’s going to get worse before it gets better. It’s definitely going to get worse. Good thing I like a challenge. He kissed her then, there in Eleanor Blake’s driveway, where anyone could see. Where Miranda was probably watching from a window.

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