Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 13

Dominic sat still in the cold, quiet office of Atty. Julian Reyes, his new counsel. The room was lined with shelves of Family Law books, Civil Code annotations, and old rulings—terms and cases he barely understood, but now desperately clung to like lifelines.

He had already consulted with Atty. Francisco, the hotshot lawyer Cynthia recommended. But from the moment they sat down, Dominic felt uneasy.

Atty. Francisco was all fire and fury.

"We'll fight for full custody. We'll use everything—her new relationship, your income difference. We must fight!"

But something in Dominic resisted. He wasn't here to start a war. He just wanted to be a father again.

That's what led him here—to Atty. Reyes. Softer eyes, steadier tone, but brutally honest.

"So," Dominic asked, trying to mask the anxiety in his voice, "do I even stand a chance?"

Atty. Reyes took off his glasses and folded his hands.

"I won't lie to you, Mr. Delaverde. If you're looking for a lawyer who will bend the truth just to win, I'm not that guy."

"I just need the truth," Dominic said.

Atty. Reyes opened the folder on the table. The papers inside didn't lie—medical reports confirming retrograde amnesia, the nullity of marriage filed back in 2006, and worse, seven long years of no contact, no support, nothing.

"The truth?" the lawyer began carefully. "You were gone for seven years. You filed for nullity of your marriage. That alone tells the court you wanted out. No financial support. No communication. And now you're back, with memory loss? The court might understand—but it won't excuse it."

"I didn't know... I didn't even remember leaving them," Dominic murmured, guilt crawling all over his skin.

"Maybe. But the court only sees what's on record. Amnesia can explain, but not justify. Especially not in family court."

Dominic looked down, shame pooling in his chest. "So what are you saying? That I should give up?"

"I'm saying... maybe you don't fight for custody. Maybe you fight for connection. Earn their trust again. Show Maricar you're not here to ruin what she built—you just want to be a part of it."

The lawyer leaned forward. "So, what do you really want, Dominic?"

His answer came quietly. "I just want to be their father again."

"Then start there. Not with a court case. Start with humility. You can go to court, but she's got consistency, legal custody, and seven years of stability on her side. Add to that your medical records and the nullity? You're walking into court with a losing hand."

Dominic swallowed hard. "So... what should I do?"

"Talk to her. Be honest. Let go of the legal fight. It's not the way."

And somehow, as heavy as the moment was, Dominic felt lighter.

Because for once, someone gave him truth—not to make him feel powerful, but to make him feel human again.

He nodded slowly.

"Thank you, Attorney. I... I think I know what I need to do."

⸻

"We have nothing to talk about, Dominic. I'm not handing over my children—"

"I dropped the case."

Maricar froze.

"I talked to another lawyer," he said, voice low. "He told me the truth. I don't have a strong case. Not just because of the amnesia... but because I was gone. I was gone for too long..."