Page 74 of The Reality of Us
It was also exactly why he’d left to start his own law firm.
Owen blinked, refocused. He wasn’t going to move backwards. “No further questions, thank you.”
The judge nodded and told Rob he could return to his seat before calling a recess.
“You ready?” Owen murmured to Jessica once they were outside, huddled in a corner of the hallway.
She fiddled with the collar of her blazer. “I’m going to lose, aren’t I?”
“It’s unlikely the judge will give you sole custody.” Which was what he’d been saying ever since she’d decided to go for full custody.
“And whatever she says is binding?”
“You could always appeal. But that will involve doing all this again and proving the judge’s decision wasn’t fair. It’s not impossible, but honestly, it’s not an easy process.”
“Do you think I’m a terrible person?” she whispered. “I could’ve saved us all a lot of time if I’d just agreed to this when you first suggested it. They didn’t even mention my criminal record when they questioned me.”
That had surprised Owen, too. He swallowed, giving himself a second to choose his words. Regardless of his own feelings, Owen had a duty to Jessica. “I think you’ve been in an impossible position. Rob turned your and Sam’s world upside down. But it seems like he’s gotten himself back on track and there are lots of systems in place to keep an eye on him.
“Based on the evidence they’ve presented and the way the court will always try to preserve a child’s relationship with both parents, as long as it is safe to do so, I don’t think you’ll get full custody. And, in my professional opinion, it would be pointless to appeal joint custody immediately. You’d need to wait for Rob to fail to meet his terms of the agreement.”
Jessica nodded before biting her lip and releasing a shaky exhale. “He’s right, you know. Sam deserves two parents. I’m putting my fears in front of his needs. And now I might have to share Sam more than I originally wanted to.”
“We can still offer a different custody split if there’s one you think you’d prefer now.”
Rob and his lawyer walked towards them. Jessica picked up her phone, Sam’s cheeky face filling the screen.
“Four days a fortnight, no overnights. Not initially. And I want a transition period that includes supervision so Sam can get to know Rob again.”
“You’re sure?”
“Make the deal, Owen. It’s time to start rebuilding our lives properly. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you when you first suggested the different options.”
He blinked. Took a long breath. That’s why this morning’s fight with Alice had caught him so off-guard. He thought they were building their lives together. Chipping away at all the obstacles in front of them so they could have a future together when she was finally free of Phoenix, but Owen had forgotten something essential.
What if that wasn’t what was right for Alice?
And he was left on his own.
Again.
26
Alice was halfway through trying to figure out how much more wax she needed to order when the door to the shearers’ shed opened. She rushed forward, careful not to trip over Murphy. She’d been practising her apology all day, spurred on by the deep embarrassment that had settled over her skin as she thought about how she’d treated Owen.
Eloise poked her head through the doorway, and Alice sighed. “Hey,” she said. “What are you doing here?”
Eloise grinned, stepping into the mess. The heavy boxes of candle jars hadn’t made it more than a metre inside before Alice had decided that was where they could stay for the time being.
“Good. You’re still here. We were hoping to catch you before you left for the day.”
Alice looked around, past the old wool sorting table covered in candles that had set but not yet been boxed up and the metal shelves she’d bought to store her wax and other supplies. Where else would she be? Owen would be busy with footy training for another hour or so, at least. And—she swallowed—he might not want to see her tonight. Not after the way she’d behaved earlier.
“What’s going on?” she asked as Eloise pushed the door wide open. Lulu, Joan and a few other of the Old Girls walked in. They were carrying boxes of takeaway pizza, bottles of wine and grocery bags. Murphy leapt to his feet, following his nose until he was wrapped around Eloise’s jean-clad legs.
“We heard you had a rough day and thought we’d come and keep you company,” Joan said.
Alice blinked back the unexpected tears. “That’s so nice of you all.”
