Chapter 9 - THREE CHILDREN, TWO HOMES
The court approved a structured parenting plan.
Lily and Noah would live primarily with me. Alexander would have regular supervised visits at first, followed by longer visits if he followed the court's requirements. The arrangement also required him to contribute to the children's expenses and complete a family assessment.
Sophia was granted a separate parenting arrangement for Mateo.
For the first time, the adults had to organize their lives around the children rather than expecting the children to fit around their secrets.
Alexander's legal problems continued.
He cooperated with investigators about Adrian's forged documents and the stolen funds. He also faced scrutiny for his own financial decisions. His attorneys negotiated carefully, but the investigation was not over.
The Moretti organization changed too. Several senior members resigned. Daniel remained as head of security, but he made it clear that he would not participate in anything that endangered the children.
One Saturday, Alexander arrived for a supervised visit carrying three small gifts.
A book for Lily.
A wooden train for Noah.
And a stuffed bear for Mateo, who was not there.
Lily looked at the gifts.
“Why did you bring three?”
Alexander hesitated.
“Because I have three children.”
She considered that.
“Does Mateo get the same kind of birthday parties?”
“I hope so.”
“Do you go to his school?”
“Yes.”
“Did you go to mine?”
Alexander's face tightened.
“Not as often as I should have.”
Lily looked down.
“Can you come next time?”
“I can.”
She lifted her eyes.
“Promise?”
Alexander glanced at the supervisor.
Then he answered carefully.
“I will ask for the date and make sure I'm there.”
It was not a grand promise.
It was a practical one.
And perhaps that was the first honest thing he had offered her in years.
The visit went better than I expected.
Noah showed him a drawing. Lily read a page from her new book. Alexander listened without checking his phone.
When the visit ended, Lily hugged him.
I watched from the doorway.
Alexander looked at me over her shoulder.
I did not smile.
But I did not look away.
A month later, Sophia contacted me through Rachel.
She asked whether the children could meet Mateo.
I hesitated.
Rachel suggested a neutral location and a supervised introduction.
We arranged it at a children's museum.
Sophia arrived with Mateo. She looked nervous and tired. She wore no jewelry except a simple watch.
Lily approached first.
“Hi. I'm Lily.”
Mateo hid behind Sophia's leg.
“That's okay,” Lily said. “I have a brother too. He's loud.”
Noah immediately shouted, “I'm not loud!”
For the first time, Sophia laughed.
The children began playing with a wooden train set. They did not understand the history between the adults. They only knew they were related and that the toys were interesting.
I stood beside Sophia.
“I don't blame Mateo,” I said quietly.
She looked at me.
“I know.”
“I don't want the children to carry what we did.”
Sophia nodded.
“I should have told you.”
“Yes.”
“I was afraid Alexander would leave me.”
I looked toward the children.
“He left all of us in different ways.”
Sophia's eyes filled.
“I am sorry.”
I believed she was.
That did not mean I trusted her.
It did not mean we would become friends.
But it meant I could stand in the same room with her without feeling that my entire life was being taken from me again.
When we left, Lily asked whether Mateo could visit sometime.
“We'll see,” I said.
She nodded.
Then she took my hand.
“Mommy?”
“Yes?”
“It's nice that he has a sister and brother.”
May you like
I squeezed her fingers.
“It is.”
