Chapter 15: The Custody War Begins
1194 Words
A Mother’s Worst Nightmare
Alodia sat in Miranda’s office, her hands gripping the armrests of the leather chair like a lifeline. Across from her, Miranda’s expression was grim as she laid out the situation.
“Raegan has submitted an affidavit claiming you left your children home alone multiple times overnight while you were with Jasper. He’s using Veronica Cruz as a witness.”
Alodia’s stomach twisted. “But that’s a lie. I never—”
“I know,” Miranda said, cutting her off. “But that’s not the problem. The problem is that he has fabricated evidence.”
Alodia’s blood ran cold. “What do you mean?”
Miranda slid a set of printed photos across the desk. Alodia’s breath hitched as she saw grainy security footage of her leaving Jasper’s penthouse late at night.
“I—” she stammered. “This doesn’t prove anything.”
Miranda’s jaw tightened. “It doesn’t have to. It just has to plant doubt in the judge’s mind.”
Alodia felt like the air had been knocked out of her lungs. “He’s going to take my children.”
Jasper, standing beside her, squeezed her shoulder. “No, he won’t. We’ll fight back.”
Miranda exhaled. “We have the emergency hearing in two days. We need to be ready.”
Alodia’s mind raced. “What do we do?”
Miranda met her gaze. “We prove that Raegan isn’t the father he pretends to be.”
---
A Man With Secrets
Jasper and Alodia sat in his penthouse that night, going over every possible way to dismantle Raegan’s case.
“We need dirt on him,” Jasper said, pacing the floor.
Alodia sighed, rubbing her temples. “But he’s careful. He always has been.”
Jasper stopped pacing. “Not always.”
Alodia frowned. “What do you mean?”
Jasper hesitated, then pulled out his phone. “I have a contact who used to work as Raegan’s security detail. If Raegan has skeletons in his closet, this guy might know.”
Alodia’s heart pounded. “Call him.”
Jasper didn’t hesitate. He dialed the number and put it on speaker.
A deep voice answered. “Who the hell is this?”
“It’s Jasper Blake. We need to talk about Raegan Rivera.”
Silence. Then—
“What’s in it for me?”
Jasper’s jaw ticked. “A favor. Whatever you need.”
The man chuckled. “Interesting. Meet me at the old warehouse on Fifth. Midnight.”
The line went dead.
Alodia’s pulse spiked. “Jasper, this sounds dangerous.”
Jasper gave her a reassuring look. “I’ll handle it.”
Alodia shook her head. “No. We do this together.”
Jasper sighed but nodded. “Alright. Let’s go dig up some dirt on your ex.”
---
A Dangerous Meeting
Alodia and Jasper arrived at the old warehouse on Fifth Street just before midnight. The place was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of rust and dust. A single car was parked near the entrance, its taillights glowing faintly.
Jasper placed a protective hand on Alodia’s back as they approached. “Stay close.”
A man stepped out of the car, his silhouette sharp under the dim streetlight. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a leather jacket that had seen better days. His dark eyes studied them, calculating.
“Jasper Blake,” the man said, his voice rough. “Didn’t think I’d ever hear from you again.”
Jasper crossed his arms. “Cut the small talk, Miguel. We need information on Raegan Rivera.”
Miguel smirked, lighting a cigarette. “That’s a dangerous name to be poking around.”
Alodia stepped forward. “Please. He’s trying to take my children away from me. We need something to stop him.”
Miguel exhaled smoke, watching her carefully. Then, after a long pause, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small USB drive. “This has security footage from one of Raegan’s old properties. Let’s just say… he’s not the upstanding father he claims to be.”
Alodia’s hands trembled as she took the drive. “What’s on it?”
Miguel tilted his head. “See for yourself.”
Jasper narrowed his eyes. “Why help us?”
Miguel chuckled darkly. “Let’s just say Raegan and I have unfinished business.” He flicked his cigarette away. “Consider it a free favor. This time.”
Then, without another word, he got into his car and drove off, leaving Alodia and Jasper standing in the eerie silence of the night.
Jasper glanced at her. “Let’s get back and see what’s on this thing.”
Alodia nodded, her heart pounding with both fear and hope.
---
A Shocking Revelation
Back at Jasper’s penthouse, Alodia and Jasper plugged the USB into his laptop. A series of video files appeared on the screen. Jasper clicked on the most recent one.
The footage was grainy, taken from what looked like a hidden camera inside a lavish hotel suite. The timestamp showed it was recorded two weeks ago.
Raegan sat on a couch, a drink in hand, laughing with a woman.
Not just any woman.
A teenager.
Alodia’s breath hitched. “Oh my God.”
The girl looked nervous as Raegan leaned in, whispering something in her ear. Then he handed her a thick envelope. She took it hesitantly before glancing toward the camera, her face fully visible.
Jasper cursed. “That’s… that’s the daughter of a senator.”
Alodia’s stomach churned. “This proves he’s paying off underage girls.”
Jasper fast-forwarded the video. More clips showed Raegan meeting with powerful men, exchanging money, sealing dirty deals.
Alodia covered her mouth. “This isn’t just bad parenting. This is criminal.”
Jasper exhaled sharply. “This could ruin him.”
Alodia clenched her fists. “Good. He deserves it.”
---
Turning the Tables
The next morning, Miranda nearly dropped her coffee when she saw the footage.
“Holy—this is a goldmine,” she breathed. “If we leak this, Raegan is finished.”
Alodia’s expression hardened. “Leak it.”
Miranda smirked. “With pleasure.”
Within hours, the footage was all over the news.
"BUSINESS TYCOON RAFAEL RIVERA EXPOSED IN UNDERAGE PAYOFF SCANDAL!"
Alodia watched as reporters swarmed Raegan outside his office. His face was pale, his usual arrogance gone.
A reporter shoved a microphone at him. “Mr. Rivera, do you deny the accusations?”
Raegan clenched his jaw. “This is an invasion of privacy. I will not be discussing false claims.”
But the damage was done.
Raegan’s reputation was in flames.
And when they arrived at the custody hearing the next day…
The judge ruled in Alodia’s favor.
Raegan sat across from her, his face twisted in fury.
“This isn’t over,” he hissed as she walked past him.
Alodia only smiled. “Yes, Raegan. It is.”
Jasper took her hand as they stepped out of the courthouse, the sunlight shining on them like a new beginning.
She had won.
Her children were safe.
And her future was finally her own.
- Writer
