A night in Paris

Child custody 1

“Is this a joke?” Amused by my request. " Alright Avia, I'll marry you” he laughed out loud then casually responded but when he looked at me and saw I wasn't joking his brow shifted from amused to serious. "You're not kidding," he rubbed the back of his head with his palm and looked at me again, “you really aren't kidding" he looked at me with so much intensity in his eyes. He got up from leaning on my car window and crossed his arms giving me a straight face

“I'm serious Andre,marry me” my lips trembled at the audacity in my tone. His countenance fell as his eyes widened in shock and confusion. The smile on his face vanished completely and was replaced by a deep frown.

“This isn't just a regular marriage is it?”. The audacity in my tone had disappeared. I had to thread softly. The news had broken him and I didn't want to do anymore damage

“It's a contract-"

“As expected" he scoffed and turned to walk away but stopped mid way. He was expecting something more distinct but the reality was crushing. His mind tried to process the words I had just spoken. He turned to look at me and I could see the pain in his eyes. His lips pressed into a fake forced smile as he walked back to the car

" It's complicated but I need to get married” I tried explaining to him without giving so much information away but it wasn't working.

" So a contract marriage?" He snapped at me.

“Yes a contract Marriage” I whispered. He scoffed and turned away from his forehead aggressively

"what exactly do you want?" He asked sharply sounding so pissed

" Andre, please help me, my son's life is at stake here please,” I begged him.

He looked even more confused at my confession, “son?” his palm squeezed his face in disappointment, as he looked at me in disbelief. If he didn't agree I would lose Damian and his insurance to Ethan which I'm very sure is the only reason why Ethan wanted custody of Damian

“Avia I'd love to help you honestly but this…..this is just too much to ask of me. You can't just meet a stranger one night and ask them to marry you the next day” his voice laced with so much pain from the thought of him being used.

“Here," I handed him my card, “ call me. My address is on it as well. Please Andre I need your help". I started my car and put it in motion. As I was about leaving I looked at Andre one more time to convince him, " and by the way Andre, the pay is really good” I gave him a convincing smile

He gave me a shocking reply, " it isn't always about the money Avia” then he walked away. I couldn't imagine this man. Was he really this modest or was he just pretending cause that's all these men did. I laid on my bed when I got home and thought about the plan I was hatching.

Ethan was going to show the court all the evidence he had on me to prove his point and I had to have a strong comeback on my end and that's where Andre comes in.

* * *

“Are you sure this is a good idea Avia?" Ronnie's face was filled with concern and worry after I told her about my plan but this was the only shot I got

"It's the only choice I got and I can't take chances Ronnie. I almost lost Damian before and I'm not ready to lose him again" I reasoned with her to make her understand what's at stake here

“And I'm convinced the only reason that son of mine wants his son back is because of-”

" The insurance” I ended it off for her

" Exactly. And I'm not gonna let him get that….let's go with your plan Avia. But,” she went on, " I have to be sure this isn't another peasant trying to eat where he did not sow”

" Oh I'm paying this peasant to get the job done so he is actually going to be working for his money” I explained to her

“Perfect"

* * *

I tapped my fingers loudly on the car seat. I couldn't wait to get this session over with but at the same time I was so nervous about what the outcome might be

“You need to calm down Avia" Ronnie squeezed my palm trying to calm me down, " Everything is going to go well, you don't have anything to worry about” she reassured me

“Thank you" for some reason I was glad I wasn't doing this alone

“All rise for honorable Judge Karen,” the court clerk announced and everyone got up, " honorable Judge Karen will be presiding over the case of Ethan Reed vs Avia Hart”

There were few spectators present. Avia was at the dock for the plaintiff while Ethan was at the dock for defendants.

“Very well,” the judge echoed in the courtroom, "Mr Ethan you're seeking custody of Damian. Please present your case”

Ethan stood up and shot Avia an evil grin, “Thank you, your honor. I have a stable home, a loving fiance, a steady job, and I can provide a suitable environment for my son Damian. Since our separation, I have been his primary caregiver. I drop him off at school, help with his homework, and have spent so much quality time with him”

Judge Karen rubbed her chin then turned to Avia, “and how do you respond to Mr Ethan's claims Miss Avia?"

“I appreciate his efforts, your honor. But I'll let you and this court know he had to do that as a compensation for what he did to me. I have proof here of being constantly physically abused by this same man who claims to be a perfect father. Your honor all I want is my child, I am fit to raise him”

" Your honor this woman here who claims to be fit has a record for living a rough

life and there are proofs to that” Ethan's lawyer accused her