Page 22 of Pucking Strong

“I’ve reviewed all similar cases from the past three years, and it comes down to this,” she goes on. “In the eyes of the Swedish government, you are asking to remove an injured child from her home country, a country where she receives excellent healthcare. That’s the immediate pressing concern. In the long term, you would also deny her a Swedish education, access to her Swedish culture and language. And with your demanding work schedule, you offer her no stability, no daily support. She’ll spend more time in the care of strangers than she will with you. Can you deny any of this?”

“Perhaps while I’m in season,” I admit. “But when the season is over, I always return to Sweden. For holidays too. And we’ll speak Swedish together at home.”

Elin considers for a moment. “I’m just not convinced it’s a winning case to secure her immediate custody. There’s still the issue ofyou being gone more than you’re home. And do you have anything arranged for her yet? School? Medical care? Any kind of live-in support? Will they speak Swedish? Otherwise, how will she communicate with them?”

I fight the urge to groan. “I’ve told you. I can’t arrange anything without first having proof of custody. I’ve been spinning my wheels needlessly for days, fighting with everyone from nursing companies to the Rays HR department. They all say they can’t make a move without something signed proving I have custody of Karolina.”

Teddy slides his coffee mug aside. “I’m sorry, I feel like I have to cut in here. It’s Elin, right?”

She nods.

“Well, this all just seems crazy to me, Elin. I mean, Karlsson should get her.” He jabs a thumb at me for emphasis. “He’s the next of kin and hewantsto take her. He has the means to provide an excellent life, either here or back in the States. Heck, her dolls will live better than me, and I’m a freaking doctor.”

Dropping my hand from his thigh, I survey him. He’s been so passionate about this. Am I really surprised? He worked with children in rehabilitation. And he mentioned he’s a family man. He has three sisters, and they all have children. It makes sense why he’s so good with Karro. He’s had plenty of practice, certainly more than me. In this moment, I can only feel grateful. This has all felt so bleak, but his strength is giving me strength.

“What about what Karolina wants?” he goes on. “Do you think she’d rather go live with strangers in a foster situation or with her dear Morbror Henrik? Would staying in Sweden really make up for the trauma she’ll experience being taken away from him now?”

Finding my voice, I sit forward. “I fail to see how anyone could care for my niece better than me. My financial disclosures alone should reassure the court that I’m capable of providing for her. More importantly, no one will love her more than me. She is my heart. She’smine, Elin.”

With a patient sigh, Elin sets her coffee aside. “If you wish me to press your case, I will do everything in my power to see that you win.”

I raise a brow. “But?”

“But I’m a pragmatist,” she replies. “I want my clients to have all the facts so there are no surprises. Disappointments, yes. If you lose, it will be disappointing in the extreme. But it will not be a surprise.”

“Total freaking bullshit,” Teddy mutters.

I’m inclined to agree with him.

But Elin is the one who has all the research. She knows the legal precedent here. She wouldn’t be pushing me like this if there weren’t a real chance I could lose. She reaches into her bag and pulls out a folder. “We’re ready with our plan. I can file today. But I urge you to first consider looking at these before you make any final decisions that may affect her life … or your own.”

A sinking feeling of doom settles in my chest. “What do you mean?”

She holds my gaze. “In this moment, two things are happening at once. You are grieving your sister, while making plans for your niece. One relies on emotion, but the other must be handled objectively.”

Next to me, Teddy stiffens. “And what? You’re worried he can’t do two things at once?”

She’s quiet for a moment. “I’m worried your grief may be clouding your objectivity, yes.”

I cross my arms, glaring at her.

“Accepting a child into your life is no simple feat,” she adds. “And you’ve always been something of a lone wolf, Henrik. Frankly, I question whether you’re prepared for this.”

I’m reeling with this truth. It’s been on my mind, but Elin just gave it voice. Teddy’s hand is quickly at my shoulder. “Jesus,” he hisses at her. “Want me to hold his arms back so you can just punch him right in the fucking face?”

“You’ve been my client for nearly ten years,” she goes on, looking only at me. “I’d like to think we’re friends too. Will you hear these words from a friend?”

My heart is racing, stomach churning, but I nod.

“A child needs more than financial support to thrive. Especially an injured child, a grieving child, a child ripped from her countryand her language, a child in need of building an entirely new support system while her sole caretaker is away more than he’s home.”

“But he loves her, and she loves him,” Teddy challenges. “That has to count for something, right? I mean, the rest is just details. It’s fucking geography.”

“There are many forms of love,” she replies. “Sometimes, truly loving someone requires knowing when to put their needs first and when to let them go.” With that, she sets the folder on the table between us.

My gut clenches tight. “What’s that?”

She splays her hand over the folder. “These are foster family applications—”

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