Bryan's eyes narrowed, seeking reassurance. "So, are you saying I have a higher chance of winning this in court?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.Barrister Leonard's expression turned skeptical, his tone hinting at the challenges ahead. "It might seem difficult, but there's always a way to navigate situations like this. The issue is that you haven't established a relationship with your children yet. They don't know how they'll react or feel living with you, which makes it harder to convince the court."Betty's brow furrowed, concern etched on her face. "But isn't the consent of the children necessary? They're just small kids; won't it be difficult to get their consent, Barrister?"The room fell silent, the weight of the situation settling in. The fate of the children and the outcome of the case hung precariously in the balance.Barrister Leonard's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes locked on Bryan. "I can request that the court grant you temporary custody for a month,
Some weeks laterThe day of the court hearing had finally arrived, and the tension was palpable as the two parties faced off in the courtroom. Bryan, flanked by Betty and Grandma Creston, approached Eva, who stood tall beside her mother."Where are my kids?" Bryan demanded, his voice firm but laced with a hint of desperation.Eva scoffed sarcastically, her eyes flashing with anger. "What makes you think I would bring my kids to this circus? What kind of father are you, anyway?" she shot back, her voice dripping with venom.Bryan's face reddened with indignation. "You're unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head in disgust.Just then, Betty intervened, her voice calm and soothing. "Bryan, we should go. Barrister Leonard wants to see us in his office."Bryan nodded, casting a parting shot at Eva. "You should be prepared, because you're not going to win this case. You're just being stubborn."With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Eva seething with anger. Her mother placed a ca
The attorney's question hung in the air like a challenge. "So, Mrs. Eva, can you tell me what you told me before, about how you're being deceived by Mr. Bryan?"Bryan's eyes darted to his lawyer, Barrister Leonard, as if seeking a lifeline. The two men exchanged a brief, weighted glance. Meanwhile, Betty and Grandma Creston watched with rapt attention, their faces etched with surprise and curiosity.Barrister Leonard's voice was low and urgent. "Mr. Bryan, did you know what she's talking about?" He leaned in, his words barely audible. "What did she mean by saying you deceived her?"Bryan's response was barely above a whisper. "I have no idea what she's saying." His eyes widened, his face a mask of innocence.The attorney's gaze never wavered. "You can proceed, Mrs. Eva." The courtroom was silent, the only sound the soft rustle of papers and the quiet hum of the air conditioning. The tension was palpable, the anticipation almost suffocating. What secrets would be revealed? What truths
Bryan stormed out of the courtroom, his face red with rage, his eyes blazing with anger. "How can she lie like that? How can she tell the court I'm someone I'm not?" He muttered to himself, his fists clenched.Betty tried to calm him down, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Bryan, you need to calm down. Let's wait for Barrister Leonard to come out and we'll talk to him."But Bryan was too far gone, his anger consuming him. He spotted Eva exiting the courtroom and marched towards her, his eyes flashing with fury. Eva tried to avoid him, but he grabbed her hand, his grip tight."Are you trying to avoid me now? Why can't you face me after all you've said in there?" He spat, his voice low and menacing. "Face me and repeat those lies you told the court!"Eva's eyes widened in fear as she tried to pull away, but Bryan's grip only tightened. The scene was intense, with Bryan's anger and Eva's fear palpable in the air.Eva's mother, a woman of stature and grace, stepped forward, her voice fir
Hannah's voice was laced with disbelief and sarcasm as she spoke, her words dripping with a hint of surprise. "Hey Bryan, this is so surprising. Did you just give me a call yourself? You said I should stop calling you and also stop seeing you. Isn't this amazing, you called me?" She chuckled, her tone playful but also slightly bitter.Bryan's response was urgent, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Hannah, please, I need you to do something for me. Please, it's very urgent." His tone was serious, a stark contrast to Hannah's playful demeanor.Hannah's laughter grew louder, her voice filled with amusement. "Wait, did you actually need my help? Oh my goodness, I don't believe Bryan Creston was even going to need a help from a lowlife like myself." Her words were laced with sarcasm, her tone dripping with disbelief.The line was silent for a moment, the only sound being Hannah's soft laughter. Bryan's voice was tight with tension, his words laced with a hint of desperation. "Hannah, pleas
The court hearing finally resumed, and the judge's voice echoed through the silent courtroom. "The case will now begin. The defendant's lawyer should please provide their witness."The courtroom was silent, with all eyes fixed on the proceedings. Eva's attorney stepped forward, his voice clear and confident. "Thank you, your honor. I will like to call Mr. Matthew James," he said, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.The name resonated through Bryan's ears like a shockwave. "Unbelievable, so Matthew was the witness," he muttered under his breath, his face filled with surprise and disbelief.Matthew, Eva's childhood friend and secret admirer, walked into the witness box, his eyes fixed on Eva with a mix of emotions. The tension in the courtroom was palpable, like a tightly wound spring waiting to snap. The judge's gaze narrowed, his eyes fixed on Matthew, as the courtroom held its collective breath, anticipating the testimony that would unfold."So, Mr. Matthew, please take yo
Bryan's face was red with rage, his eyes blazing with frustration. "How can they do this to me?!" he exploded, his voice echoing through the room. "I can't believe they're dragging this out for another five days!" Betty placed a calming hand on his arm, her voice soft and soothing. "You have to calm down, Bryan. Getting angry won't change anything. I'm sure you'll get custody of the kids. The judge just needs to process the new evidence and the statement Eva provided." But Bryan was inconsolable, his anger and frustration boiling over. "I don't think it will be easy," he lamented, his voice cracking with emotion. "The judge wants more evidence, and I don't know if I can come up with anything else. Eva's statement should be enough, but no, they need more!" Betty's expression was sympathetic, her eyes filled with understanding. "We'll figure something out, Bryan. We'll work together to find that evidence and make sure you get the custody you deserve. Just take a deep breath and calm d
Ryan's voice was a mere whisper, a hint of relief evident. "Thank you, Bryan. Thank you for giving me a chance. I won't let you down again. And you don't have to pay for my trip. I will use my money"The line went dead, the silence a palpable reminder of the fragile truce between two former friends. Bryan's eyes remained narrowed, his mind still weighing the risks and benefits of trusting Ryan again. But for now, he had no choice. He needed Ryan's testimony, and he would do whatever it took to win custody of his children.Bryan's mind raced with strategy and calculation, his thoughts a jumbled mix of emotions and logic. He knew that trusting Ryan again was a risky move, but he had no other choice. He needed Ryan's testimony to win custody of his children, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.As he sat in silence, his eyes fixed on the phone in his hand, he couldn't help but think about the past. The memories of his friendship with Ryan, the laughter and the a