No Such Thing As A Hollywood Ending

chapter 42

Henry sat nervously in a quiet room at the courthouse, adjusting his tie for the third time. His hands trembled as thoughts raced through his mind. Today wasn't just any day—it was the day Amelia's court hearing would take place, and everything hinged on what would happen inside that courtroom.

A woman entered the room, looking professional and composed. Henry had been told she was part of the legal team that would help him navigate the complexities of the case. He wasn't entirely sure what her specific role was, but he knew she was supposed to be his advocate.

"Henry?" she said, offering a reassuring smile as she sat down across from him. "I'm here to discuss what we're hoping to achieve today."

Henry nodded, still feeling a little lost in the legal jargon. "I'm just... I don't know what's going to happen," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously.

The woman flipped open her folder, scanning through some notes. "The defense team will likely try to get Amelia the lightest sentence possible. there's a chance we can leverage that in your favor. Our goal is to suggest a sentence of house arrest instead of prison time. This would allow Amelia to remain part of the child's life in a controlled, supervised way. And it would give them what they want because they don't want her in prison if they can avoid that."

Henry leaned forward, hope creeping into his voice. "So, she'd still get to be in the child's life?"

"Yes," the woman said, nodding. "Of course, the child will be in your custody, but with court-ordered supervision, Amelia could still have visits. It's not ideal, but it might be the best compromise given the situation."

Henry sighed, resting his hands on his knees. "That's... all I want, really. I just don't want my child to grow up without knowing their mother. But I'm scared. What if the court doesn't agree?"

"We'll do everything we can to push for this outcome. You've been very clear about wanting what's best for your child, and we believe the court will see that." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "There's no guarantee, but if we present a united front, we stand a good chance."

Henry nodded, though uncertainty still clouded his thoughts. He had imagined so many possible outcomes, and none of them seemed perfect. But the idea of a solution that gave him full custody while still allowing Amelia to be involved was comforting, in a way.

"I'd be happy with that outcome," he said softly, more to himself than to her. "I just don't know if it will work out that way."

The woman placed a gentle hand on his arm. "We'll try our best, Henry. You're doing the right thing by being here, by fighting for your child and for your future."

As she stood up to leave, Henry's mind raced. He had no idea what the next few hours would bring.