The Parent Trap

He looks directly at Amelia, she straightens even more.

"Normally when dealing with custody cases I have a clear understanding of both parents sides. Yet all I see is a woman trying to take a child away from her ex-husband. While most custody cases involve biological children. And the law favours biological parents. I’ve reviewed the statements made during the home visit..." He pauses looking at Chase then at Amelia. "You reportedly arrived at Mr. Jacobs’ residence unannounced with another woman, before you filed this report..."

Amelia’s body froze, her fists clenched. She tried to hide it but I could see it.

"You introduced this woman to Mr. Jacobs as your daughter’s biological mother. Then you forcefully attempted to introduce her to your daughter."

My stomach twisted. I didn’t realize Rebecca wrote down my words from that day and gave it to the judge. She included everything I said that day.

I could see the confusion on Chase’s face and the terror on Amelia’s face.

The judge leaned forward looking directly at Amelia. "Care to explain why you would attempt to introduce an unknown woman to a child while simultaneously claiming to be acting in that child’s best interests? When you accused Mr. Jacobs of doing the exact same thing..."

Amelia’s face went pale. Her lips parting, but no words come out.

She then looks panicked towards her stunned lawyer.

It seems he didn’t know she’d done that. Honestly that was was hell of a lot confusing.

Chase and I might have believed her if we didn’t open the results just before she got that. Who would believe our luck?

"I..." Amelia’s breathing became uneven, she looked like she was at a loss for words. "It wasn’t like that! I didn’t..." she tries to explain.

"Then explain it to me so I can understand your reasoning." the judge says.

"I..." And then it’s like she turned on a switch in her. Her face went red, she turns toward Chase.

"This is your fault!" Her voice was so loud I flinched at the sound. "You’re making me look bad so you can play happy family! I won’t let you! I won’t let you do this to me!" she creams trying to jump over her lawyer to get to Chase.

But her lawyer holds her back.

Every head in the room turns toward Chase.

He looked at Amelia like he was looking at a crazy woman. "Amelia I don’t know what you’re talking about?" He genuinely looked confused.

Because he was. He wasn’t the one who told Rebecca. I was. I have no idea why I would mess up like that.

I clench my fists.

I’m sure he knows I was the one who told Rebecca.

"You fucking set me up Chase! You told them that so I’d look incompetent. I was her mother! This bitch is nothing to Stella."

It’s like something snaps in Chase. He stands. "You know better than anyone why we divorced Amelia. You dragged my daughter in front of cameras. When I told you I didn’t want her in the public. I didn’t want her to live the life I did as a child. You didn’t respect my wishes and I didn’t think it was safe for my daughter to be with you. Then you lost my damn daughter and Carly had to save her! If it’s anyone’s fault that Carly is in our lives its yours. You’ve been trying to take my daughter from me since the divorce. Not because you love her but we because you want to use her. Anyone with eyes could see it!" By the time he’s done he is breathless. He was panting glaring at Amelia.

"You son of a bitch!" she screams.

"Curse me all you want Amelia. You aren’t taking my daughter from me." he says calmly.

"You want to destroy me! I have worked to hard to be forgotten. You’ll regret this. I promise you! You’ll regret this."

Chase looks at her calmly and said with a calm voice. "Amelia look at yourself." he pauses "You’re the only one standing in your way of career. What if the press saw you now?"

The judge struck his gavel to get order. "Order."

"Ms. West, Mr. Jacobs please compose yourselves." he looks at he both of them.

Amelia’s breathing became ragged, she had a look of defiance like she still wanted to fight, but her lawyer gently pushed her back into her chair.

She glared at him pushing his hands off her.

He whispered something in her ear and she calmed down.

Chase sat down calmly.

My mind was running one hundred miles an hour, this was all my fault. I hope this didn’t mess up Chase’s chance at getting full custody.

She’d asked me about Amelia. I should not have been honest. I should have told her I’d only met her twice and nothing happened.

But look at Amelia now, I didn’t want her anywhere near Stella. She had a short temper. I didn’t even want to think about what she might do if Stella acted out or became too excited about something.

"Did I mess this up for Chase?" I mutter out.

Koah looks at me. "What do you mean?" she asks.

I tell her about how my words being used now against Amelia.

Koah frowns. "No, it doesn’t look bad for Chase honestly it’s working in Chase’s favour, it shows him protecting Stella from Amelia’s games. It also shows Amelia doesn’t really care for Stella. And her little tantrum didn’t help either." Koah explains.

"So I didn’t mess this up for him?" I ask.

She shakes her head.

I let out a sigh of relief.

Honestly. I didn’t want to hurt Amelia, I didn’t even want to judge her on what I saw today. All I wanted us for my daughter to be happy.

Amelia...

I sighed. I honestly didn’t know what to make of the woman.

I feel like I could look at someone and get a sense of them. But not Amelia. She looked more concerned about Chase than she did Stella and it worried me.

It worried me that this might be a ploy to get back together with Chase. If Stella was a pawn in her little game to get Chase back. Then I’d honestly... To be honest I have no idea what I’d do.

It scared me.

I don’t think I’ve ever truly been angered before. I feared I’d do something I would never be able to walk away from.

The judge looked down at the stack of files before him.

"Since things had gotten out of hand and off course. And in light of the new evidence I’ve received today..." He paused closing them carefully. "Particularly regarding Miss Lewis’ medical records and her biological relation to the child." He looks at both lawyers. "I will not be issuing a ruling today. I want apposing counsel to address the legal implications of Miss Lewis’ parental rights in light of the newly admitted DNA results." He paused. "I will also be throwing out your abuse and the child negligence claims. If you want to come up with a new argument with our next hearing. That’s fine by me. But this time I don’t want to hear any false allegations. As for the existing custody arrangements, it shall remain in place, Stella Jacobs will remain in the care of her father."

A breath I didn’t know I was holding let out. My shoulders relaxed and my body felt lighter.

It wasn’t over. I knew that. It was just the beginning. She could get custody if the court sees fit.

The judge hits his gavel. "This hearing will resume in one month." he says.

Everyone begins to stand as he leaves, I didn’t have the strength in my legs to attempt it.

Chase walked up to me and sat down beside me. "Did you tell her case worker about Amelia’s visit?" He asks whispering in my ear.

I nod. "I didn’t mean to. She asked me about Amelia. I spoke without thinking. I’m so sorry Chase..."

He shakes is head. "No it’s fine. It was her own doing. If anything. I think it helped me..." He let out a breath. "I’m just worried she would hurt Stella to further her career. Or make Stella become a child model or child actor... I never want my daughter to live the life I did..." He looks ahead deep in thought.

"Do you regret it?" I ask him.

He looks at me. "Being a child actor?" he asks.

I nod.

He smiles. "It provided for my family and set me up for a life time. I do love acting. It helped me in more ways than one. But I also didn’t know what to do with the fame as a child. I didn’t have many friends because I didn’t have time for school most of the time." he says softly.

"I don’t think I had time for school either..." I had a feeling I didn’t go to school either.

Chase looks at me before looking at Amelia.

I follow his eyes, and see her still talking to her lawyer. They looked like they were arguing.

She turns away from him to see us looking at her. She glares at us coming toward us.

"You think you’ve won? This isn’t over Chase. I will make you regret trying to ruin me. My career is the one thing. I won’t have you mess with..." she warns.

Chase stands straightening his blazer. "Drop the custody case and you can go on with your little acting job..." he tells her.

She glares at him. "You think I’ll let you off after what you did?" She scoffs.

"Even if I have to fight you myself. I’ll make sure you never see Stella again." she threatens.

I stand so fast it startles both me and Amelia.

Fear cross her face, she quickly hides. "Go on. Hit me. Show everyone you’re violent. Help me get custody of Stella faster..."

Koah puts her arm on mine. "She’s not worth it Carly. she’s nothing but a dog, all bark and no bite..." she says to Amelia’s face.

Amelia glares at Koah. "Who do you think you are? You’re nothing but a street peasant like this bitch here!"

Koah laughs. "Oh really? Should I make sure you never get into a Harbor owned hotel for the rest of your life?"

Amelia looks stunned.

Before she could say anything Koah speaks again. "Oh I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Koah harbor."

Amelia’s eyes widen, she glares at me before rushing out of the court room.

I look at Koah worriedly. "Was that wise to give your name?" I ask.

She smiles brightly. "Right, I didn’t get the chance to tell you. Chase told me last night. Austin is dead. He died in that car crash... I can move on with my life now..." she says touching her stomach.

I smile brightly as well wrapping my arms around her. "I was truly happy for her. She deserved all the happiness in the world. After everything she’s been through.

It seems like things were finally turning around for us...