CHAPTER 5
1018 Words
CHAPTER 5
WILLA'S POV
"I stared at the lawyer, my mind reeling. 'Divorce? Proof of...well...' I didn't know what to say. The possibility of a divorce never crossed my mind. I glanced at Damian, who looked equally perplexed.
"'Surely we can still go ahead with our initial plans without this divorce, right?' I asked, my voice laced with uncertainty.
"I'm afraid not, Mrs. Anderson..." Thomas began, but I cut him off.
"'It's Miss Vanderbilt. Willa Vanderbilt,'" I corrected him, my tone firm.
"I apologize, Miss Vanderbilt," he replied. "The issue is, you're both still married according to the law, so neither of you can file for custody."
My eyes widened in disbelief. "Tell me that's not true," I said, turning Diane.
The look on her face was sympathetic, "I'm sorry but that's true. In this case, Child custody can only be considered when it is found out that one parent defaulted in their responsibility"
This shouldn't be a problem for me. After all, Damian had not fulfilled his responsibilities
"This shouldn't be hard, I guess I've won the case already." He said, twirling in his chair, a smug look on his face.
"You wish! You think the court will give the kids to a man who change women like he changes his clothes." I said.
"Hah! A pot calling kettle black. Need I remind you that you abandoned your kids with me for four years? Never for once calling or checking on them?"
His words cut me like a sharp blade but I maintained my stoic gaze. I won't give up so easily.
"And remember the kids have been with me for the past three years, I have taken care of them when you weren't here don't think the case would rule in your favor" he added.
"So you think because they've been with you, the court will grant you custody? Don't get your hopes up." I said, trying to give myself hope even though I knew he was right.
"Oh! I can't wait to see the look on your face when the court grants me custody."
"Not in your lifetime. We will get a div....
Don't tell me this will be,..don't tell me all my efforts would be wasted Diane. The reason I fought so hard to become the woman I am now, the reason I was strong enough to bounce back was because of my children. Don't tell me...
I paused to drive back the tears.
"Willa, I understand how you will but if I am to be honest, even if the divorce was not an issue, you'd still loose out on the custody case."
"Loose out? How?"
"You left your kids for four years Diane. While I understand why, the court wouldn't see it that way. "
"But it wasn't my fault. He wouldn't let me take them." I said finally letting the tears fall. "I just want my kids back and I'll leave for good."
Diane sighed. "I have a suggestion but I don't know how you'll take it."
"As long as it'll help me get my kids back."
"You could move back with him....
"Hell! There's no way I'm going back to that house. I can stand the sight of him let alone spend God knows how long with him."
"Hear me out. In the time you stay there, you'll be able to win back the love of your children and then stand a chance of winning custody, that's after the divorce."
"What makes you think this would work?" I asked, my voice laced with skepticism, but also a hint of desperation.
"I've seen it before, Willa," Diane replied, her voice gentle but firm. "When a parent is willing to make sacrifices, to put their children's needs above their own, it can be a powerful tool in winning custody. And I truly believe that if you're willing to take this step, you can regain the love and trust of your children, and ultimately, the court will see that too."
This was not what I planned. I never saw this coming. But do I have a choice?
"You are not doing this for yourself Willa, you are doing this for your kids. Let me explain, when you return back to him and stay for six months or even a year…"
"A year? No way! Think of something else Diane. One year?" I vented out frustratingly.
"Listen Willa, if you stay with him for a long time, he can't use the claim that you left the kids for three years against you," she said.
I looked at her carefully. "So, if I stay with Damian, the court might not believe him?" I asked.
"Yes, that's right. Just make sure you're always with the kids," she said.
"Okay, I'll do it," I sighed. "I'll do anything to get my kids, even if it means staying married to him."
Diane smiled at me, but I only smiled a little back. "I hope this works," I said.
"It will," she said.
"Let's go back inside," I said, and we walked back to Damian's office.
I opened the door, and Damian looked up, seemingly in the middle of a strategic discussion with his lawyer.
"Well, Willa, what's your decision?" He asked, smirking at me. I wished I could wipe the smirk off his face.
"Since my kids are in your house, and I'm still married to you, then your house is my house," I said confidently.
Damian's smirk disappeared, and I felt proud of myself. "What do you mean?" he asked, confused.
"I mean, my dear husband, that I'm back to stay," I replied, walking closer to him.
He looked at me, still confused.
"I know you can be slow sometimes, but I'll explain it to you. What I mean is..."
"You didn't just call me dumb?" he asked, standing up.
"I did," I replied.
"Please, let's not use insults," Thomas said nervously.
"No, Thomas, she can call me whatever she wants," he said, smiling coldly. "At the end of the day, she won't have my kids. It won't happen."
"We'll just have to wait and , won't we?"
- Writer
