Chapter 12 - THE FATHER ON THE RECORD
Roman wore an ordinary dark suit to court.
No line of men followed him inside. Dean stayed outside with Rachel and Sophie while Julia sat beside Nora.
Vivian arrived in cream silk, carrying photographs of Nicholas she had asked the nurses to take.
Her new lawyer spoke about stability, family duty, and Roman’s reputation.
He didn’t have to invent the reputation.
Roman had spent years building it.
When Nora presented the messages and the financial conflict, Vivian’s lawyer asked for time to review them. The judge granted no one a shortcut around the evidence.
Then the questions turned to Roman.
How often had he attended his son’s medical appointments?
Who supervised the caregivers?
When had he last personally put Nicholas to bed before Sunday?
Roman answered every question.
The room grew quieter with each answer.
“I thought paying for the best care was the same as making sure he had it,” he said.
“And now?” the judge asked.
“Now I know how convenient that belief was for me.”
Vivian watched him as if honesty were a language he had chosen to speak just to insult her.
Nora proposed a temporary plan. Nicholas would stay with Julia while the household was assessed. Roman would have frequent visits under the agreed safeguards. Independent caregivers would be vetted. Vivian would have no authority over the trust while the financial concerns were examined.
The judge approved an interim arrangement and set a further hearing.
It wasn’t the order Roman wanted.
It was the one he could defend without lying.
In the hallway, Vivian caught his arm.
“You let her take him.”
Roman looked at Julia, who was calling the hospital to ask what equipment Nicholas would need.
“She’s making room for his crib,” he said. “What were you making room for?”
Vivian released him.
That evening, Nicholas left the hospital in Julia’s car.
Roman checked the seat buckle with the discharge nurse. He kissed his son’s forehead and stepped back.
He did not get into the car.
Sophie stood beside Rachel, clutching her rabbit.
“Aren’t you coming?” she asked.
“I’ll visit him tomorrow.”
“He likes when people stay.”
“I know.”
This time, the words almost broke him.
As Julia drove away, Charles called from an unfamiliar number.
May you like
Roman answered before Nora could stop him.
“You’ve seen what honesty gets you,” Charles said. “Are you ready to make a deal?”
