Let's Not Fall In Love

Ch. 13

[13 September 2023]

[Amethyst]

I was back in Colorado at my parents house with TOP and the kids. We were back because of the adoption court. Erik already had two more kids between Christmas 2016 and now. He even stopped paying child support on their third birthday.

Today was the court day, I was anxious and so was TOP. Our friends and family were in the courtroom waiting with us, trying to calm our nerves. 

"Case 1649749. Amethyst Lee versus Erik Reynolds." the security guard called.

This was it, I walked beside my lawyer as Erik walked beside it. TOP hired a top notch lawyer inside of one of those flimsy ones. We stood there as the lawyer began speaking about our previous relationship before the kids and what's happened since. He turned his attention to me and asked me what's the story after our breakup back in December of 2016.

"Your honor, I'd like to begin that at first our relationship was good but we fell out of love when I was three months pregnant. I told him when we broke up that I could raise my children properly with or without him. He agreed to send money for the children every month. I started working as a full-time teacher, Erik still sent money but by the children's third birthday, the money stopped. I tried called, texting and messaging him. He never replied and changed his number and blocked me on Facebook, the only place I could get ahold of him at. Turns out, he had another child on the way but that was no excuse, we had a written notice by a lawyer. Then in 2022, my brother Kang Daesung and his friends were released from mandatory military service and came to the US to surprise me. One of his friends, Choi Seung-hyun asked me to me to be part of his life and asked if he could officially adopt my children as his kids. I said yes because he's been a better father than Erik and everyone around town here in Colorado and in South Korea would say the same thing." I stated.

"Did you say South Korea?" the judge asked.

"Yes your honor, that's where Choi Seung-hyun, Kang Daesung and their friends reside. I also reside there with my children. They have the best medical care and an amazing education. My children are almost fluent in Korean, they're going on six years old now. We have a house and they have everything they need, except a paper stating who their father is." I stated.

"Is this mister Choi Seung-hyun here?" the judge asked.

"Yes your honor, he's here with our friends and family." I stated.

"Mister Choi Seung-hyun please come stand next to miss Lee." the judge said as TOP stood next to me.

I heard Erik scoff really loudly which got the judges attention.

"Is there something wrong mister Reynolds?" asked the judge.

"Oh, no your honor. I just know mister Choi Seung-hyun as well." Erik stated.

"Well, you've met him multiple times. Daesung never left any of them behind in South Korea whenever he came to visit." I simply stated.

"I bet you've also cheated on me with him too." that earned some whispering.

"Order in the court!" the judge yelled then everyone went silent.

"How could I have cheated when I was working twenty-four seven trying to make a living? I never once had a boyfriend on the side, only you but yours was a girlfriend." I spoke out.

"What do you mean miss Lee?" the judge asked.

"I was stupid and agreed upon having an open relationship. I never did anything, only he did. The children I speak of, he has five total now. Two are mine and three are hers." I stated as I stood tall.

"Is this true mister Reynolds?" the judge asked.

"Semi true, your honor. We did agree upon an open relationship but from when I first met mister Choi Seung-hyun, I knew she had feelings and there were rumors that she did things with him." Erik said trying to play the victim.

"And when was this mister Reynolds because I have all her pay stubs and work times from when you both were together." the judge stated.

"Honestly, I can't deal with this. I don't believe those kids are mine because of those rumors and not only that, they look Amerasian. Asian-American. Your honor." Erik stated, I scoffed in disbelief. 

"Then we'll do a paternity test first then come back after we get the results. I believe I will call recess so mister Reynolds and miss Lee's children can do a test." the judge clocked the hammer.