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It takes me a good few hours to get through the vacuuming, washing, cleaning the bathroom, and cleaning Tilly’s room. By the time I'm done, I'm finally beginning to wake up properly. Hey, and it's only taken five hours.
Exhausted, I collapse on the couch with a coffee and relax. I decided I’ve earned a break, and I can’t think of a better way to use it than watching crappy daytime TV. I’m halfway through a rerun of Jerry Springer when there’s a knock on the door. Getting to my feet, I race to answer it, annoyed at whoever has interrupted my viewing. What if I miss finding out who Latisha’s father is?
An official-looking man wearing a shirt and tie stands on the porch. He smiles tightly when I open the door. My stomach lurches. I know he's not a cop, but his presence reminds me of the night of Aiden’s accident.
“Can I help you?” I ask, my knuckles white from holding onto the doorframe so tightly.
“Are you Kiara Drummond?” he asks curtly.
I nod.
He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a yellow envelope, handing to me.
I take it, trying to figure out what it is.
“You've been served,” he adds.
What?
He walks away briskly before I can ask any questions. My heart races as I tear into the envelope, pulling out a thick, legally worded document. My blood freezes as I read through the cover page.
No. There is no way she can do this. This isn't fucking fair. But there it is, written in black and white, impossible for me to deny.
Heather is suing me for the shared custody of Tilly.
Somehow I make it back to the sofa, the room spinning as I sit down. I scan through the pages. I have no idea what half of this shit means. From what I can gather, she’s claiming that I'm stopping Aiden from being part of Tilly’s life, and that as his guardian and power of attorney, it's in her and her husband’s best interest to make sure their son’s legal entitlements are met.
Of course she goes on to mention that Aiden will be moving back home. I laugh when she states his prognosis is good. On what planet is his prognosis good? She also states that she's spoken to me on several occasions about Tilly seeing Aiden on a more regular basis, and that each time I’ve denied her request. Which is true, but for good fucking reason.
“This is fucking insane. It has to be a joke,” I mutter, tossing the papers down on the coffee table. I reach for my phone and call Ellie, the only person I can think of who will understand.
“What's up?” she asks, her voice bright.
“I've just been served. By Heather.”
“Served what?” she says, confused.
“She is suing me, Ellie. For shared custody of Tilly. She's fucking suing me.” I laugh, because it’s all I can do to not completely lose it. How the hell could this happen? I'm so angry. I feel goddamn violated. Can she really do this? “How can she put Tilly through this?”
“Shit, Kiara, you’ve got to be kidding me. I don't know what to say. Just sit tight—I'm coming over.”
She hangs up. I drop the phone in my lap and lie back on the sofa. I don't even know what to think. How can this be happening? What am I supposed to do now? How do I fight this? I don't know the first thing to do, or what Heather and Jim’s rights are as Aiden’s parents. Do they actually stand a chance at winning this? Surely they don't. I mean, what judge in their right mind would put an innocent, terrified child in a situation that is only going to cause her more grief?
Less than ten minutes later, Ellie barges through the front door, her face clouded with anger. She throws her arms around me, cursing Heather and comforting me at the same time.
“Are you okay?” she asks, kissing my cheek. “You don't have to go through this alone. You've got me and Grant, and Mom and Dad. Fuck, I'm so angry,” she mutters, flopping down next to me the couch. “Who do they think they are?”
“I don't know. I have no idea what to do now. I guess I need a lawyer?” I say. I laugh at how little I know. “No doubt they're dipping into Aiden's insurance payout to get the best legal advice they can,” I say. My tone is bitter.
“I know this isn't the time, but Kee, you should’ve fought them for power of attorney over Aiden years ago.”
“I know,” I groan. “I didn't want to put Till through any of this, though.”
“It's okay. We’ll sort this out, all right?” She reaches over and squeezes my knee, a concerned expression on her face.
I nod, wishing I were as confident as she is.
Chapter Fifteen
