The courtroom fell silent, quiet enough that Alice could have sworn she heard the tick of the judge's wristwatch on the paneled walls. She was seated beside Cole on the bench, her hands clasped together so tightly that her knuckles ached. Sophie leaned against her, her small hand curled around Alice's fingers like a lifeline.
Judge Halvorsen leaned forward, peering over his glasses, his voice firm yet unexpectedly gentle.
"Dr.Kingston, Miss Blake and Ms. Gibson," the judge said, "this case is unusual. We've heard testimonies. We've seen documents. But custody isn't about papers or wealth. It's about a child's best interests. And sometimes, the clearest truth comes not from lawyers or parents…but from the child herself."
A chill of shock ran through the courtroom. Alice's breath caught. Cole's hand immediately rested on her knee under the table, holding her steady.
"I'd like to hear from Sophie," the judge continued. "Sophie, would you be willing to come up here and talk to me?"
"Yes, Sir"
"That's good. Come on then
As Sophie rose to move towards the judge, Eliana stood up too, a smile on her face as if expecting Sophie to run into her arms. Alice was observing how nervous Sophie was, she smiled in reassurance at her.
Cole leaned in close and whispered low so only his daughter could hear, "You don't have to be afraid, sweetheart. Just be honest."
Sophie nodded, letting go of her tiny hand from Alice's. Alice's stomach contracted at the loss of warmth. She had to shield Sophie from adults' battles, but the girl stood up with a courage that left Alice's throat dry.
Sophie hoisted herself onto the witness chair, her feet dangling. Judge Halvorsen leaned in toward her gently. "Hello, Sophie. Do you know why you're here today?"
Sophie fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. "Because Mommy Eliana asked me to stay with her, but I… I don't want to leave Daddy."
The judge nodded. "And how about the woman who's sitting next to your dad? Alice, is that right? What do you think of her?"
For a moment, the air was still. Alice's heart pounded in her ears. Eliana's face grew bright with expectancy, as if Sophie would shake Alice off with a child's wavering shrug. Then Sophie straightened her chin, her voice shaking but steady.
"I love Alice," she whispered. "She makes me pancakes in funny shapes. She reads me bedtime stories, even when she's tired. She stays with me when I'm scared at night. And…" Sophie's voice cracked. "She loves me like a mommy should."
Mutterings rippled through the courtroom. Cole shut his eyes and shook his knees. Alice's breath caught; tears threatened, blurring her vision.
Sophie pushed on, innocence and valor filling her face. "I want Alice to be my mom. Not pretend. For real."
Eliana jumped up from her seat. "This is absurd! She's a child! She doesn't have a clue what she's saying"
"Sit down, Ms. Gibson," Judge Halvorsen growled, banging his gavel once.
The courtroom went silent once more, but Sophie's words lingered heavily, irrefutable. Alice yearned to lunge forward, to bundle Sophie into her arms, but she willed herself to remain immobile. This wasn't about her desire. This was Sophie's reality.
Judge Halvorsen let the silence linger for an interminable moment before releasing a deep sigh. His voice was firm. "I have heard enough. Dr. Kingston, you have shown stability, commitment, and a life where Sophie flourishes. I hereby award you full custody."
Eliana gasped, slapping a well-manicured hand on the table.
"Order in court" the bailiff roared looking in Eliana's direction.
The judge continued stubbornly, "Ms. Gibson, you are awarded visitation rights, alternate weekends, with Dr. Kingston's discretion for extended holidays."
Cole's breath escaped in a whoosh, relief creeping over his face. Alice squeezed her chest, trying to hold back tears. Sophie smiled, leaping from the witness chair and sprinting into Alice's arms.
The judge's gavel came down again. "Court adjourned.
The corridor was crowded with whispers and camera clicks as reporters tried to catch a glimpse of the billionaire physician, his daughter, and the woman who had been called "Mom" for all to see outside the courtroom. The media were ushered out by security personnel, making space.
Sophie held Alice's waist, her head tucked inside her shirt. "Did I do okay?" she whispered.
Alice bent down, kissing the forehead. "You did better than all right, sweetheart. You were brave. Braver than anyone in here."
Cole's eyes gentled, his hand running across Alice's back. "She takes after you," he said, his voice low and nearly worshipful.
Alice's heart skipped. She turned her face away, afraid of what she'd see if she looked at him too long.
Eliana strode past them, heels pounding angrily on marble. "This isn't the end, Cole!" she snarled. "You'll be sorry you embarrassed me." Her gaze snapped to Alice with venom. "And you, don't think for a moment this sham makes you real either."
Cole's arm slid around Alice and Sophie, his gaze cold steel. "It's over, Eliana. The court has ruled."
She strode away in a flurry of scent and fury.
For the first time in weeks, Alice felt pressure in her chest relax. Maybe just maybe, this nightmare was finished.
-----
Later in the car, Sophie slept on Alice's lap, her eyelashes against her cheeks as they fluttered. The scream of the city was muffled behind tinted windows.
Alice stroked Sophie's hair, talking softly. "I'll go to my flat tomorrow to start packing my stuff. It'll take me two trips, but I'll get it sorted."
Cole, driving, half-turned to glance at her brusquely. "No, you won't."
Alice winced. "Excuse me?"
"You're not moving boxes up and down stairs on your own," he declared firmly. "I'll organize a team. They'll do the lot."
"That's not necessary
"Yes, it is," he interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. "You're part of the family now, Alice. You don't keep secrets by yourself anymore. Not in my house."
Her breath stalled. 'Not in my house.' The words should have reassured her, but they tightened her chest with yearning and horror. She didn't know how to fit into this world of privilege, of confidence, of Cole's unshakeable superiority. She didn't know if she was worthy.
But Sophie squirmed in her lap, babbling, "Mommy…" and Alice's determination crumbled.
"I was thinking, Alice if we could legalize our relationship in the meantime. We can cancel if you still don't like me" "Please, if not for me, for Sophie".
Alice looked at him and her mind went haywire. Her heart consented but her mind was in chaos.
"Alright, but I have the liberty to cancel anytime I want? Right?"
"Yes, but just let's give it a year at most before you make any choices"
"Fine with me then"
----
In the evening, back at Cole's penthouse, things were different, lighter, freer. Sophie danced to her room, humming as she hugged her stuffed bunny. Alice followed slowly behind her, weariness heavy in her bones.
She was halfway to the guest room before the concierge interrupted her over the private line. "Mr. Kensington, a deliveryman brought an envelope for you. Urgent."
Cole's expression grew stiff and he accepted the fat envelope from the doorman a moment later. His name was emblazoned across the front, but the return address was one Alice knew all too well. Her stomach dropped.
Cole slit open the envelope, eyes scanning the letter inside. His face darkened, each word settling on his face.
"What is it?" Alice whispered.
He stared at her, a storm brewing in his eyes. "It's from your ex-fiancé."
Her blood ran cold.
Cole handed her the letter. Alice's hand shook as she opened it. The words leapt out at her, cruel and spiteful:
"Alice, play house with Cole Kingston all day you want, but I know your secrets. If he doesn't, he will soon. One phone call from me, and your dirty little secrets will be splashed on every front page. Let's meet. This is your warning."
The paper fell from her trembling hands.
Cole caught it before it hit the floor. His voice was deep, menacing. "What secrets is he talking about?"
Alice's throat closed, her heart racing. "Cole, I never wanted this to follow me here. I thought it was finished."
Cole's eyes wavered for an instant, then flared back into fierce protection. "You're not going through this alone, Alice. But I have to know what we're up against.".
Tears burned her eyes. She ached to tell him everything. Ached to sink into his arms and let him carry her burden as he had promised. But fear clutched her ribcage. Fear of what would happen if he knew the truth. Fear of losing the man she loved, and the little girl who had named her "Mom.".
The silence between them was heavy and tight until Sophie's laughter wafted from down the hallway, ethereal and sweet.
Cole's gaze snapped to his daughter's bedroom, then back to Alice. His voice dropped to a vow. "Whoever thinks they can threaten or harm you, does the same to us and has no idea who they're playing with."
Alice swallowed thickly, trapped between relief and fear.
Because this wasn't over.
This was only the start.