Page 87 of Falling for Love

What was Kyle’s angle? Did he think he could just waltz in and take Hayden from me? Did he think a few years and a piece of paper could erase the abandonment, the silence, the complete lack of care?

I grabbed my phone and hovered my fingers over the screen.

I needed help.

I needed advice, but I had no idea where to start.

There was no way I was going to burden Liam with this.

In fact, this very predicament was my worst fear with him.

I needed my mom.

She’d know what to do.

She always did.

With shaking hands, I dialed her number.

The phone rang twice before her familiar voice answered.

“Hey, sweetie! How’s everything going?”

Hearing her warmth and steadiness almost broke me.

“Mom.” My voice cracked.

“What’s wrong? Is it Hayden? Is he okay?” Panic was in each syllable.

“It’s Kyle,” I said, my words tumbling out in a rush. “He filed for custody. I just— I don’t even know what to do. He hasn’t been in Hayden’s life at all. And now this?”

She was silent for a beat as the words sank in.

“Evie,” she said gently, “take a deep breath. We’ll figure this out.”

“How?” I whispered, gripping the counter again. “How do I fight this? What if he takes Hayden? What if—”

“Stop,” she said firmly but kindly. “He’s not taking Hayden. Not now, not ever. You’re his mother. You’ve been there for him every single day. Kyle doesn’t get to show up out of the blue and disrupt everything.”

“Tell that to the courts.”

“Oh, we will.”

“I can’t lose him, Mom,” I said, my voice barely audible.

“You won’t,” she said with certainty. “You’re stronger than you think. And you’ve got a whole community behind you—friends, family, people who love you and Hayden.”

“I don’t even know where to start.”

“We’ll start with your lawyer,” she said matter-of-factly. “And we’ll go from there. You don’t have to do this alone, Evie.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Thank you, Mom.”

“Always, sweetie,” she said softly. “Now, take a deep breath. Hug Hayden. And remember—you’ve got this.”

As I hung up, her words lingered in the air.

I didn’t feel strong, but I had to be.

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