The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 47

Chapter 41: Lawyered Up

Bella POV

Jennifer’s office was all glass and chrome, designed to intimidate, but today it felt like a cage. I sat across from her massive desk while she reviewed the custody petition for what felt like the hundredth time, her expression growing grimmer with each page.

“This is bad,” she finally said, setting down the papers. “Bella, this is really bad.”

“How bad?” I asked, even though I didn’t want to know.

“He has an excellent case.” Jennifer leaned back in her chair. You concealed the pregnancy, left the state, changed your name to Hart from your married name Black, and have actively prevented him from knowing about his son for years. The fact that he has legitimate reasons to believe you were lying about the abortion, the timing, everything, it all works in his favor.”

“He told me to get rid of the baby,” I said, my voice tight. “That has to count for something.”

“It does, but it’s not enough.” Jennifer pulled out another document. “He’s claiming he was manipulated, that his sister-in-law and father-in-law created fake evidence of infidelity using Al technology, which his tech team has now proven. He’s positioning himself as a victim who was lied to, who made statements he regrets under false pretenses, and who has spent years trying to find you to make amends.”

“That’s convenient,” I said bitterly.

“It’s also provable.” Jennifer slid a thick folder across the desk. “His legal team sent this over this morning. It’s a timeline of every attempt he’s made to locate you over the past years. Private investigators, missing persons reports, contacts with shelters and clinics in five states. Bella, he’s been looking for you since.”

I stared at the folder like it was a snake. “I don’t care. He doesn’t get to play devoted husband now just because he feels guilty.”

“This isn’t about what he gets to do,” Jennifer said gently. “It’s about what the court will order. And based on this petition, the judge is going to grant the DNA test, it’s going to prove paternity, and then Caleb Black will be awarded visitation rights at minimum.”

“And at maximum?” My voice came out small, scared.

Jennifer hesitated, and that hesitation told me everything. “Shared custody. Possibly fifty-fifty once a relationship is established.”

The room spun. “No. No, he can’t have Tom half the time. He’s a stranger to him!”

“He won’t get fifty-fifty immediately,” Jennifer said quickly. “It would be a gradual process. Supervised visits first, then unsupervised, then overnights, then weekends. But Bella, the end goal in custody cases is usually equal parenting time unless there’s a reason to prevent it.”

“He told me to abort my baby!” I was on my feet now, pacing like a caged animal. “That should be reason enough!”

“It’s not.” Jennifer’s voice was firm but kind. “Because he claims he said that under duress, based on false information, and he’s since expressed deep remorse and a genuine desire to be involved. The court is

13

Chapter 41yied Op

going to look at his current actions, not just his past mistakes.”

+25 Points

“This is insane.” I stopped at the window, staring down at the city below. Somewhere down there, Tom was with Maya at the park, completely unaware that his life was being dissected by lawyers. “He doesn’t get to just show up and demand access to my son.”

“He’s not demanding,” Jennifer said. “He’s asking. That’s what tomorrow’s meeting is about. He wants to work out an agreement that satisfies everyone before the court forces one.”

“What kind of agreement?” I turned to face her, my arms crossed defensively.

Jennifer pulled out her notepad. “Based on the preliminary discussions with his attorney, he’s proposing a gradual introduction. Supervised visits initially, maybe once or twice a week for an hour at a time. After a few months, if things go well, they’d increase to unsupervised visits, then eventually overnights.”

“Overnights?” The word came out strangled. “He wants Tom to sleep at his house?”

“Eventually, yes. But we’re talking months down the line, Bella. And only if Tom is comfortable with it.”

“Tom is three years old,” I said. “He doesn’t know what he’s comfortable with. He just met this man recently and thought he was nice because they talked about penguins for two minutes!”

“Kids are resilient,” Jennifer said. “And Tom deserves to know his father.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” I rounded on her, anger replacing fear. “Tom is happy. Tom is healthy. Tom has everything he needs. Why does everyone assume he needs Caleb too?”

“Because he does.” Maya’s voice came from the doorway, and I spun around to see her standing there with Tom on her hip. “I’m sorry, I know we weren’t supposed to be here until later, but Tom wanted to see you

and-m.”

“Mommy!” Tom wriggled out of Maya’s arms and ran to me, wrapping his little arms around my legs. “We saw dogs at the park! Big dogs and little dogs and one had spots!”

I picked him up, holding him tight against my chest and breathing in his scent. “That sounds amazing, baby.”

“Why are you here?” Tom looked around Jennifer’s office with wide eyes. “Is this where you work?”

“No, sweetie. Mommy is just having a meeting with a friend.” I kissed his forehead. “Maya, can you take him to the waiting room? There are toys and books out there.”

“Actually,” Jennifer said, standing up, “maybe it’s good that Tom is here. We need to talk about how to explain this to him.”

“Explain what?” Tom looked between us, confused.

“Nothing, baby,” I said quickly. “Just boring grown-up stuff.”

“I’m hungry,” Tom announced. “Can we get pizza?”

“Sure, baby. After Mommy’s meeting.” I set him down and nodded to Maya. “Please? Just for a few more

minutes?”

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