From Grief We grew (Only On Wattpad)

Chapter 64 Bea

We end up having 5 days before the first Hearing. Though our time is less, it's still better than 3. Five days to find enough evidence on my side. When I saw my child being taken away for the second time, honestly I lost all hope that I'll get her back. Maybe this is my punishment for giving away my baby. Hayden's dad said we have to prove that I’m a better mother than Mira. But am I? Which mother lies about her child to everyone-
 
   “Bea!” I snap out of my thoughts and look at Hayden. “Are you okay?” I nod and he squeezes my hand. Right now we are on our way to see the Family Law attorney that Uncle Dominic got for our case. He is supposedly the best in his field.
 
   We walk into the building and Hayden asks the receptionist for our lawyer. “Do you have an appointment?” She asks looking at Hayden from above her glasses. Simultaneously her fingers grab the telephone and start dialling. “Noah Fenwick. We were told to meet him now,” Hayden replies. She nods and tells the person on the phone we are here.
 
   “Take the lift. Third floor. Room on the right.” We follow her instructions and get to his room. Hayden knocks on the door and we hear a voice calling us in. “Good Morning,” we both greet and smile at the young man seated. I'm a little surprised, I didn’t expect to see someone this young. He looks like he is in his late twenties. But then again Asian people tend to look young, so I might be wrong.
 
   “You must be Fenwick's nephew, Hayden?” The raven head stands up and asks. Hayden nods and shakes his hand. “Jackson Yeun,” he introduces and smiles. Then he looks at me, I smile and shake his hand, “You must be Bea?” I nod. He gestured for us to sit and we all take our seats.
 
   “Okay, Mr Fenwick told me you only have 5 days before the case comes to court.” Hayden nods and Mr. Meeting makes notes. “Can we start with you, Bea? Tell me everything from the beginning in full detail so I can analyse this case.” I mentally sigh and nod. My story that once was a secret, has now become the talk of everyone. Over and over I have to keep living the nightmare of my past just so people can trust me. But they also pity me and I’m not comfortable with that. A naïve blind girl that got raped. But I’m no longer her, I’m someone else but the ghost of my past won’t leave me. I feel Hayden squeeze my hand under the chair. I lace my fingers with Hayden's to find more comfort and I do. I tell Mr. Yeun everything that happened to me. Whilst I speak he records what I say and also scribbles in his notepad now and then. After I stop, he asks about the investigation that went on and Hayden fills him in.
 
   Nothing. He says nothing after we're done. I squirm in my chair as a few minutes pass by. He silently looks through his notes and makes more notes. I look at Hayden and he places his finger on his lips. I nod and look back at our lawyer. I feel my boyfriend massaging my hand under the table. My other hand grips my dress as my palms begin to sweat. Is he judging me?
 
  “Okay, the main thing we need to keep in mind is that most often adoptions aren’t renewed. In very few cases the biological parents get the child back. Usually when fraud or distress is proven. But in your case, we will have to prove that your stepmom is not fit to look after the baby. We also need to give the court a good picture of why you had to give away your child after birth. For example, proof that you were visually impaired. According to what you said, you only got your vision later, so the birth certificate of the child and some proof of the operation will do the job,” he finally speaks and I sigh loudly. He doesn’t pay attention to it. Or maybe he did?
 
   “The police have proof of Mira's abuse towards Bea.  That should do right? We will surely get the child back?” Hayden asks.
 
   Mr Yeun shakes his head. “I can't guarantee anything. We also need to prove that Bea is now fit for custody of her child.”
 
   “What do we have to do to prove that Mr Yeun? I’m ready to do anything to provide a safer environment for our child.”
 
   The Lawyer nods. “We will get to that. First, tell me what kind of physical proof do you have against Ms Smith?”
 
   “As I already said, the cops have pictures of the marks on Bea. They also have a hair sample of Pierre from when he hurt our friend and Uhmmm…” Hayden trails off.
 
   “What about the birth certificate of the child and yours Bea? Bills from the hospital the operation was done in?” Mr Yeun asks looking at me.
 
   “She took it all with her. I searched my entire house. All documentation is missing along with the house papers,” I tell him.
 
   “Oh Umm, this requires extra work but that’s alright. We can get all of those from the hospital. Do you remember the dates for everything?” I nod. “Hospital names?” I nod. My operation was done at St. Joseph’s Hospital. My dad told me I gave birth in the same nursing home I was born in which is close to my house. “Okay, write it here.” He gives give me a piece of paper and I write the three dates down along with the names.

 
   Once again Mr Yeun takes a while to go through his notes before speaking again, “I'm afraid all this evidence is still not strong enough-“ I cut him off and ask, “What do you mean not enough?” I stand up. “I-I-m the mother. She is my baby. I miss my baby," I cry. “She took away everything. All the bills, the certificates, she took away everything. I know things are all in favour of her. Even the cops said they won’t be able to keep her in for long. I’m gonna lose, aren’t I?” my chest tightens at the thought of never being able to see my baby girl again.
 
   Hayden holds my hand and I look at him. He stands up and wraps his arms around me. I bury my face in his chest as I continue to cry. “Bea listen to me. I know everything looks hopeless right now but with your cooperation, we can turn this case around. Please sit down,” I hear Mr Yeun say. Hayden kisses my head and whispers, “I won’t let anyone take our child away. I promise.” I pull away and nod. Hayden wipes my cheeks and hands me my inhaler. I take a puff as we both sit down.
 
   “Bea has your step mum ever abused you in a public place?”
 
   “No, she usually acts kind in public. It is at home that she has her outburst,” I reply.
 
    “There must be someplace her calm persona slipped. Take your time to think. This would be useful to the case. Violence is one of the things that proves a parent is unfit for the child-“
 
   “What about the photos? Aren’t those enough?” Hayden asks.
 
   “Yes, but Ms Smith could turn the case saying Bea did that to herself. Now considering the cops themselves told you that they can’t keep Mira in for long unless they find her partner who could confess against her, there is no reason to keep her in. Because as of now she is the rightful parent. They may not set her free since she is still accused of violence against your friend, but bail can be provided. If we find footage showing Mira hurting Bea, we can plead to keep her in claiming she is dangerous,” the lawyer explains.
 
   I nod and try to think. It takes me a while but eventually, I remember something. “A week after my dad died, I’m not sure when. It was a weekend I remember because she was out. The baby had a fever and I took her to the hospital. I called her crying In fear and said that Avery was in the hospital, that the hospital wants the mother and I asked her to come soon. What I didn’t know was that she was with one of her boyfriends who wouldn’t have known about the baby. That made her very angry. One of my old neighbourhood friends saw me and was talking to me. He hugged me and that’s when Mira arrived. She started yelling at me calling me a slut and got angry that I ruined her relationship. She pushed me to the wall and growled. She choked me I think and tried hitting me but then the nurses came and stopped us. She told the nurses she was fighting because I was to blame for Avery being sick. That I gave her ice cream. Truth is I was at work the whole week so I had no clue what she did.”
 
   “Igeos-eun wanbyeog haeyo!"
 
   “What?” I frown not comprehending what he said. Our lawyer shakes his head and smiles.  “Perfect. We can try getting the hospital footage of this. Your friend, do you have his number?”
 
   “No, I’m not in contact with him.”
 
   “Do you know his name at least ?”  asks.
 
   “Yes. Timothy Wilson.” Mr Yeun nods and enthusiastically scribbles on his notepad. Then he goes through his notes again taking some time before speaking, “You said you didn’t have the hospital bills and they were in your stepmom's name. But you also told me according to you,  she never worked. So it was you who was sending her money. Your bank will have transaction history for your stepmom right?”
 
   “No. She usually makes me withdraw money and give it to her. She told me her bank account was frozen,” I tell him.
 
   “Have you not bought anything using Internet banking or swiping your card?”
 
   “Sometimes yes.”
 
   He nods. “Let us meet in the evening. I’ll go down to the police station and meet Sarah in the meantime. See what else can be done,” Mr Yeun says. I nod and get up with Hayden. Just as we are about to head out, I stop and look back at him. “Can you check on Avery while you are there?” He looks at me, almost as if he studying me. I grip Hayden's hand nervously. Then he smiles.
 
   “Sin-ui chugbog. I'll do that.”
 

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 Glossary:
 
 신의 축복 - sin-ui chugbog - God bless

이것은 완벽 해요 - igeos-eun wanbyeog haeyo - This is perfect