Part Three: The Hunt And The Trap

For the next several weeks, Finn lived in limbo.

By day, he was the devoted husband. He and Hope went to counseling. Real counseling, not just for show. Their therapist, Dr. Keisha Williams, was sharp and didn’t accept their performance.

“You’re both here out of obligation, not desire,” she said in their second session. “That’s not going to work.”

“We have an agreement,” Hope said. “One year, then we’re done.”

“So you’re planning to fail?”

“We’re planning to be realistic.”

Dr. Williams leaned back. “Here’s what I see. Two people who’ve spent five years hurting each other because they’re too scared to be honest about what they really want. You want to spend the next year doing the same thing? Or do you want to actually try to understand each other before you part ways?”

It was a fair question. Slowly, painfully, they started to talk. Really talk. Hope admitted she’d always felt like a disappointment to her father. That marrying Finn was supposed to prove she was valuable. That when Finn seemed more interested in his work than in her, it confirmed every fear she had about herself.

“I made you the enemy,” she said. “Because it was easier than admitting I hated myself.”

Finn admitted he’d never given their marriage a real chance. That he’d been in love with someone else when they got engaged. That he treated Hope like a business transaction instead of a person.

“I resented you for being the cage,” he said. “But you didn’t build it. We both walked into it.”

It didn’t fix anything. But it made the air between them a little less poisonous. They still slept in separate rooms. Still barely touched. But they stopped actively hurting each other.

It was something.

By night, Finn worked and thought about Nikita. Scott had been discharged after a week. Finn had checked on him professionally, but Nikita had been polite and distant.

“Thank you, Doctor. He’s doing well. We appreciate everything.”

She directed a wall between them, and Finn didn’t know how to scale it. He tried calling once. She didn’t answer. He didn’t try again.

Until Mira cornered him in his office late one night.

“You look terrible,” she said.

“Thanks.”

“How’s the counseling going?”

“Better than expected. Hope and I might actually end this as friends.”

“That’s good.” Mira sat down. “And Nikita?”

“What about her?”

“Don’t play dumb. You’ve been miserable since Scott was discharged.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not. You’re in love with her.”

Finn didn’t deny it.

“So what’s stopping you?” Mira asked. “You have a timeline. One year and you’re free. Tell her that.”

“And say what? Wait for me? Put your life on hold while I play husband to someone else?”

“Tell her the truth.”

“The truth is I’m trapped, and she deserves better than someone who’s trapped.”

“The truth is you’re scared,” Mira corrected. “Scared she won’t wait. Scared you’ll lose her again. So you’re not even trying.”

“What’s the point? She made it clear she doesn’t want me in her life.”

“Did she? Or did she just refuse to be the other woman?” Mira leaned forward. “There’s a difference between not wanting you and protecting herself from getting hurt again.”

Finn wanted to believe that. But every time he remembered the look on Nikita’s face when she dismissed him, the hope died.

“I can’t ask her to wait,” he said.

“Then don’t ask. Just be honest. Tell her what’s happening. Let her decide what she wants to do with that information.”

Before Finn could respond, his phone rang. Unknown number.

“Dr. Allen, this is Simone Cross, attorney at law. I’m calling on behalf of Nikita Stokes.”

Finn’s heart stopped. “Is she okay? Is Scott?”

“They’re fine physically. But we have a legal situation. Scott’s biological father has filed for emergency custody.”

“What? John Barnes? He’s claiming Nikita is unstable, unfit. He wants custody of Scott.”

“That’s insane. He abandoned them.”

“I know. But he has lawyers. Good ones. And he’s making this ugly.” Simone paused. “I need to know. Will you testify about Scott’s medical condition? About what happened the night of the accident?”

“Of course. Whatever Nikita needs.”

“Good. Because she needs all the help she can get. The preliminary hearing is next week.”

Simone gave him the details and hung up. Finn stared at his phone. John Barnes. Coming back after all this time.

He called Nikita immediately. This time she answered.

“I heard about John,” he said without preamble.

“Simone told you?”

“Yes. I’m testifying.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

“Nikita, this is wrong. He can’t just show up and—”

“I know it’s wrong. But he has his parents behind him. Vernon and Phyllis Barnes. They have money and connections and they want their grandson.”

Finn could hear the fear in her voice. “Let me help.”

“You are helping. You’re testifying. That’s enough.”

“It’s not. Let me pay for Simone. Let me—”

“No.” Her voice was firm. “I can’t keep taking money from you. I can’t be that person.”

“What person?”

“The one who needs saving. Who can’t handle her own life.”

“That’s not what this is.”

“Isn’t it? Finn, every time you swoop in and fix things, you’re telling me I’m not capable. And maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m not. But I need to at least try.”

“You’re one of the most capable people I know.”

“Then let me prove it.”

They were both silent for a moment.

“I’m scared,” Nikita said quietly.

“Me too.”

“I can’t lose him. He’s everything.”

“You won’t. We’ll fight this. Together.”

“You keep saying ‘we.’ But there is no ‘we,’ Finn. You have a wife. A life. I have Scott. That’s it.”

“Nikita—”

“I have to go. Thank you for agreeing to testify.”

She hung up. Finn sat in his office feeling helpless.

The preliminary hearing was brutal. John showed up looking respectable, flanked by expensive lawyers. His parents sat behind him. Vernon and Phyllis Barnes, both in their sixties, both radiating wealth and power.

Nikita looked small next to them. Her lawyer, Simone, was good. But she was one woman against a machine.

The judge was older, conservative. Clearly unimpressed with both sides. John’s lawyer painted him as a young man who’d made mistakes, but was ready to step up. Nikita’s lawyer countered with abandonment.

The judge ordered a home study.

Outside the courthouse, Vernon Barnes approached Nikita. He was tall, silver-haired, commanding. Everything about him screamed power.

“Ms. Stokes,” he said. “A word.”

Simone stepped between them. “You can speak through counsel.”

“This isn’t about the case. This is about what’s best for my grandson.”

“Your grandson who you’ve never met?” Ray said sharply. She’d come to support Nikita.

Vernon didn’t flinch. “We made a mistake. We should have been involved from the beginning. But we’re trying to correct that now.”

“By taking him from his mother?” Nikita’s voice shook.

“By giving him opportunities you can’t provide. The best schools. Travel. A future without financial stress.”

“He has a future with me.”

“Does he?” Vernon pulled out a business card. “My number. When you’re ready to discuss a reasonable arrangement—shared custody, financial support—call me. We don’t have to be enemies, Ms. Stokes.”

He walked away before anyone could respond.

That night, Finn went to Nikita’s apartment despite knowing she wouldn’t want him there. Ray answered the door.

“She doesn’t want to see you.”

“I know. But I’m here anyway.”

Ray studied him. “Why?”

“Because she needs people in her corner. Even if she’s too proud to ask.”

“And you think you’re in her corner?”

“I’m trying to be.”

Ray sighed. “She’s on the balcony. Don’t make it worse.”

Finn found Nikita standing outside, arms wrapped around herself against the cold.

“Ray let me in,” he said.

“She shouldn’t have.”

“Probably not.”

They stood in silence.

“Vernon offered me money,” Nikita said. “Did you know that?”

“I figured.”

“He thinks I can be bought. That I’d give up my son for the right price.”

“He’s wrong.”

“Is he? I’m broke, Finn. I can barely afford this apartment. Scott’s preschool is eating up half my paycheck. Vernon can give him everything.”

“He can’t give him you.”

“Maybe that’s not enough.”

Finn moved closer. “Stop. You’re spiraling.”

“I’m being realistic.”

“You’re being scared. There’s a difference.”

Nikita turned to face him. “Of course I’m scared. They’re going to take him. Vernon has lawyers and money and judges in his pocket, probably. What do I have?”

“You have me.”

“For how long? Until your wife gets upset? Until this becomes inconvenient?”

The words stung because they were fair.

“I’m getting divorced,” Finn said. “In about ten months. Hope and I have an agreement. We’re staying together for one more year to make the transition smooth. Then we’re done.”

Nikita stared at him. “You’re what?”

“Divorcing her. I should have told you sooner. I just—I didn’t want you to feel pressured or like you had to wait for me.”

“Ten months?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re asking me to wait ten months while you live with another woman?”

“No. I’m telling you the truth. What you do with that is up to you.”

Nikita laughed bitterly. “You’re unbelievable.”

“What?”

“You think this makes it better? Knowing there’s an expiration date on your marriage? It makes it worse, Finn. Because now I have to watch you choose her every day for ten more months.”

“I’m not choosing her.”

“Yes, you are. Every morning you wake up in her house, every event you go to together, every time you play the devoted husband, you’re choosing her over me.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Life isn’t fair.” Nikita was crying now. “I learned that when my husband divorced me the day after our wedding. I learned it when I raised a baby alone. I learned it when his heart stopped in my arms. So don’t talk to me about fair.”

Finn wanted to reach for her. But she stepped back.

“Just go,” she said.

“Nikita, please.”

“Just go.”

He went. And the distance between them grew wider.

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