It was meant to be

11 - Court Summons

Tessa

The next morning, I wake up to the sound of the doorbell. I glance at the clock. It's barely 8 AM. Who could that be so early? I slip into my robe and head to the door, finding Hardin in front of the door. He's holding a letter, his expression a mix of confusion and dread. "Hardin, what's wrong?" I ask, stepping aside to let him in.

"They're taking me to court for Auden's custody." he says, handing me the letter. His voice is tight with anger and fear. "They said they wanted to work things out nicely, but this... this is the opposite." He says as he pulls his hair.

I quickly scan the document, my heart sinking. "They want custody of Auden? How could they?"

"I don't know." Hardin replies, running a hand through his hair. "But I'm not letting them take my son."

I place a comforting hand on his arm. "We need to get the best lawyer. Someone who can fight this."

Hardin picks up his phone and dials a number. After a few rings, someone answers. "David, it's Hardin. I need your help. It's urgent," Hardin says, his voice tense.

"What's going on?" I hear David's voice faintly through the receiver.

"I need the best family lawyer in New York. It's about Auden's custody. Natalie's parents are trying to take him from me. They said they wanted to work things out, but they blindsided me with a court summons."

There's a pause on the other end, and then David responds, "I know just the person. His name is Michael Thornton. He's the best in these cases. I'll text you his contact information."

"Thank you, David. I really appreciate it." Hardin says, his voice softening with relief.

"Don't mention it. Just make sure you get in touch with him right away." David replies before hanging up.

Hardin turns to me, his eyes still filled with worry but also a spark of hope. "David's sending me the contact information for a top family lawyer. We'll get through this."

I nod, trying to offer a reassuring smile. "We will. You're not alone in this, Hardin. I'm here for you, and we'll fight for Auden together."

As Hardin's phone buzzes with the incoming text, I can't help but feel a mix of determination and anxiety. This fight is just beginning, but I know that together, we can face whatever comes our way.

Hardin

After getting the contact information from David, I quickly dial Michael Thornton's number. Each ring feels like an eternity, but finally, a calm, authoritative voice answers.

Phone call

"Michael Thornton speaking."

"Mr. Thornton, my name is Hardin Scott. I was referred to you by David Greene. I need your help with a custody case. It's urgent." I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Alright, Mr. Scott. Why don't you tell me a bit about what's going on?" Michael replies.

I take a deep breath and explain the situation, from Natalie's death to her parents' sudden reappearance and their demand for custody of Auden. I also mention how they initially talked about working things out nicely, only to blindside me with the court summons. Michael listens intently, occasionally asking questions to clarify details.

When I finish, there's a brief silence before he speaks. "This is a complex case, but I believe we can fight this. I'll need to gather some information and set up a meeting with you as soon as possible. Can you come to my office on Monday morning?"