The evening stars

What are you doing here?

Alex and Rachel exited the courtroom one after the other. The New York court has just officially dissolved their marriage and scheduled a new hearing in a month to discuss the division of property and custody of Samantha. The atmosphere was tense, and both tried to hold it together despite all the emotions boiling inside.

Rachel walked ahead with her head held high, her heels clicking against the marble floor as if cutting off any attempts by Alex to speak to her. Her walk expressed determination and coldness, while her facial expression showed complete indifference. Alex, feeling a growing despair, couldn't take it anymore:

— Rachel, is it really that necessary? — he shouted after her, trying to get her attention.

She continued walking as if she didn't hear him. Alex switched to a brisk pace, catching up to her. He looked at the lawyer Rachel — Amanda, who accompanied her after the session:

— Amanda, you're a smart woman, tell her that Sam is not an object. You can't divide it like an apartment or a car, — Alex said with a pleading tone in his voice.

Amanda looked at him with sympathy, but her professionalism did not allow her to show any emotions.

— Alex, I'm sorry. I'm just doing my job, — she replied curtly, lowering her eyes.

Alex caught up with Rachel, gently but firmly grabbing her by the hand to stop her.

— Rachel, please, — his voice became softer, almost a whisper, — let me at least talk to her, just once. This is our daughter.

Rachel finally stopped and, taking her time, turned to him. Her eyes sparkled with restrained emotions. For a while, she simply looked at Alex, trying to sort out her feelings. It was a struggle between bitterness and regret.

— Alright, — she said quietly, pausing, —  let's go.

Alex breathed a sigh of relief, but he understood that this was just a small victory in a prolonged war that had only just begun. Rachel is aiming for full custody, and that was as clear as day.

Alex and Rachel entered the apartment silently. There was tension in the air. The nanny standing in the kitchen was preparing lunch for Samantha. She greeted them with a slight nod, sensing that something was off.

— Is she in her room? — Rachel asked coldly, not wanting to look at Alex.

— Yes, miss. She is doing her homework, — the nanny replied, wiping her hands on a towel.

Alex didn't waste any time. He quickly headed to his daughter's room, determined but with anxiety in his heart. When he opened the door, he saw Samantha sitting at the table. Her small hand moved slowly across the notebook, and she looked so vulnerable. Alex froze for a moment, watching her.

— Hi, baby, — he said softly, trying not to scare her.

Samantha stopped writing and looked up; her face was expressionless, but sadness and resentment were evident in her eyes.

— Hi... What are you doing here? — her voice was cold, as if she were facing a stranger, not her father.

Alex felt his heart tighten. He slowly approached closer, trying to find the words that could melt the ice between them.

— I called and wrote to you many times, but you didn't respond to me... That's why I decided to come myself, — he tried to explain.

Samantha leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. Her face became even more withdrawn.

— I don't want to talk to you, — she replied coldly, avoiding her father's gaze.

— Why, Sam? — Alex crouched down next to her, trying to catch her gaze. — What happened?

Samantha fell silent, her lips trembled. She turned away, but then managed to squeeze out:

— Because you left us.

These words struck him like a blow to the heart. Alex froze, not immediately finding the words to say. He reached out to touch her shoulder, but Samantha pulled away.

— I didn't abandon you, and I will never do that. You are my daughter, and that will never change, — Alex said calmly, but there was pain in his voice.

Samantha looked at him with confusion and bitterness.

— You're with Sophie now, — she said, slightly pursing her lips. — You will have a new child, and I will no longer be needed.

Alex was taken aback. This was not something Samantha could have come up with on her own.

— Did your mom tell you that? — he asked cautiously.

Samantha nodded, her gaze became more resolute.

— Yes.

Alex closed his eyes for a moment, holding back his anger. He understood that this was the result of long conversations Rachel had against him.

— Listen, Sam. — He spoke softly, but insistently. — I understand that mom might be upset, and this is a difficult time for all of us. Yes, I have fallen in love with Sophie, but that doesn't mean I have stopped loving you. You will always be the most important person to me. Nothing and no one will change this.

At that moment, the door to the room swung open abruptly, and Rachel walked in. Her face was cold and resolute.

— Enough with the nonsense, Alex, — she said irritably. — If family really mattered to you, you wouldn't have destroyed it. If you loved Sam, you wouldn't have run off with the first girl who just batted her eyelashes at you.

Alex got up from his knees and turned to Rachel. Discontent flashed in his eyes.