Present Day
The envelope arrives at 6 AM, hand-delivered by a courier who apologizes for the early hour.
Aria knows what it is before she opens it.
The legal papers crackle in her hands as she reads the header: "Petition for Modified Custody and Visitation Rights."
Leon is taking her to court.
"Mama, why are you crying?"
Sophie appears in the kitchen doorway, her stuffed elephant dragging behind her, dark curls messy from sleep.
Aria quickly wipes her eyes and forces a smile.
"Just reading boring grown-up papers, baby. Are you hungry? We could make those Mickey Mouse pancakes you love."
"The ones with chocolate chips for eyes?"
"Exactly those."
Sophie claps her hands and climbs onto her chair at the kitchen table, chattering about her dreams while Aria mechanically measures flou
