Legal affairs

Custody and confessions

Sofia was beginning to feel like she had found a rhythm. A few weeks had passed since she started working at Ricci & Associates, and she was slowly settling into her new life. Despite the
initial chaos, she managed to handle her workload efficiently, keep up with the demanding pace of the firm, and take care of Ivy. Her confidence was growing; she could feel it in the way she walked down the halls, the way she spoke during meetings, and how she reviewed documents with a meticulous eye.

Financially, things were tight but manageable. Sofia was proud of herself for being able to afford Ivy's daycare from her own earnings. Each morning when she dropped off Ivy, she felt a sense of accomplishment. It wasn't easy balancing everything, but she was making it work. For now, that was enough.

The only cloud hovering over her otherwise bright days was her uncertainty about Christian. She still couldn't quite read him. Sometimes he seemed satisfied with her work, nodding in approval or giving her a rare smile. Other times, his intense gaze left her wondering if he was scrutinizing her every move, waiting for her to slip up. The ambiguity kept her on edge, and Sofia found herself second-guessing her actions more than she'd like.

Still, she was determined to prove herself, to show Christian and the rest of the firm that she belonged there. Her days were filled with drafting contracts, preparing case files, and endless research. She was growing accustomed to the fast pace, even beginning to enjoy the challenge.

But everything changed with a single message.

One afternoon, as Sofia was wrapping up a review of a lengthy deposition, her phone buzzed on her desk. She glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number. Opening the message, her heart sank.

**Christel:** *Sofia, Tom and I believe it's in Ivy's best interest to come live with us. We've already started discussing custody arrangements, we think this will unburden you.*

Sofia's breath hitched. Her chest tightened as she read the words again, her mind racing. Christel and Tom. She hadn't heard from them since the funeral. They lived in another state—far away from everything Ivy had ever known. And now they wanted custody?

Her hands trembled as she set the phone down. She could barely focus on the room around her. The walls of her cubicle seemed to close in on her, and the noise of the office faded into a dull hum. Panic clawed at her throat. Losing Ivy was unthinkable; she was more than just her sister—she was her responsibility, her family, the last piece of their father and Maria.

She knew she needed to talk to someone. She couldn't handle this on her own.

That evening, after picking up Ivy from daycare, Sofia decided to visit her brother, Marco. He was her rock—the one person she could always count on for sound advice. She needed to hear his voice, to see his face and find some semblance of reassurance.

When they arrived at Marco's house, Ivy's eyes lit up with excitement as she spotted Marco's kids playing in the yard. "Sissy, look!" Ivy squealed, pointing out her cousins.

"Yes, sweet girl, look at them go," Sofia replied with a smile, her heart warming at Ivy's joy. She carried Ivy up the steps and knocked on the door.

Stella, Marco's wife, answered with a welcoming smile. "Hey, Sof! Come in, come in," she said, stepping aside to let them in. "You look exhausted."

Sofia nodded, her lips tightening into a weary smile. "It's been a long day. Is Marco around?"

"He's in the living room. Go on in; I'll keep an eye on Ivy," Stella said, reaching out to take Ivy from her arms.

Ivy squirmed out of Stella's grasp and ran to join her cousins, her giggles filling the house. Sofia watched her for a moment, her heart swelling with love and a hint of fear. She couldn't imagine a life without those sounds.