Chapter 37
Charlie’s fingers tremble slightly as he adjusts the cuffs of his shirt, the fabric feeling too stiff, too suffocating. He hadn’t expected to be here, in a suit, sitting in a courtroom, staring across the space at Ben fucking Hope.
The shirt is the same one he wore on his wedding day, which makes his stomach churn. He almost changed when he realized, almost ripped it off and thrown it into the trash where it belongs, but he didn’t. Maybe out of spite. Maybe because it doesn’t matter. Maybe because it reminds him of everything he’s survived.
Next to him, Tori and Michael sit with quiet support, Remy nestled between them, legs kicking as they barely graze the floor. His little hands rest in his lap, fingers tapping against his pants like he’s waiting for a story to start. He looks calm. Charlie hopes that means he doesn’t understand the weight of this. Hopes it means he just thinks they’re here for some kind of grown-up meeting and not the potential unraveling of everything Charlie has fought so hard to build.
Across the room, Ben sits stiffly in his chair, flanked by two of his co-workers from his family’s business. Because of course, Ben isn’t alone. Ben has a name, a reputation, power that Charlie never could.
But Charlie has Remy.
And Charlie has Nick.
He doesn’t look, doesn’t turn, but he feels Nick’s presence at the back of the courtroom. Steady. Unshakable. A force grounding him. A reminder that he’s not alone in this.
Charlie takes a slow, shaky breath and lifts his chin. Ben might have the money, the connections, the arrogance to think he can waltz back into Remy’s life and take what isn’t his. But Charlie has love. He has the truth. And he has something Ben will never have—people willing to fight for him, stand by him, love him.
The courtroom is too bright, too cold, too clinical. Charlie feels like his heart is rattling inside his ribcage, like it might break apart at any moment. Ben, sits with that same arrogant smirk, dressed in a pristine suit that probably costs more than Charlie’s rent.
Ben looks like he’s already won.
Charlie swallows, looking down at his hands before shifting his gaze to the other side of the room—where Nick sits, his strong presence grounding. He gives Charlie a small, reassuring nod, but Charlie still feels like he might shatter into a million pieces.
This is it. The moment he’s been dreading.
The judge clears his throat, flipping through the papers in front of him before speaking.
“We are here today regarding the custody of minor child, Remy Hope-Spring, as well as the request for a restraining order against Mr. Hope. Mr. Hope, you have petitioned the court for full custody, citing Mr. Spring as an unfit parent. Mr. Spring, you have requested a restraining order against Mr. Hope for harassment and past domestic violence. We will hear both parties.”
Charlie’s lawyer, Ms. Patel, stands first. She’s strong and sharp and doesn’t take anyone’s shit. Charlie likes her. He needs her.
“Your Honor, my client, Mr. Spring, has been the sole caregiver of Remy since his birth. Mr. Hope has had no active involvement in his son’s upbringing, failing to provide financial support, failing to establish a stable relationship with the child, and—most importantly—engaging in a long history of abusive and manipulative behavior towards my client. Mr. Spring seeks not only to retain full custody but also a restraining order against Mr. Hope to ensure his and his son’s continued safety.”
Ben scoffs loudly, but his lawyer nudges him to stay quiet.
The judge nods, glancing at Ben’s side of the room. “Mr. Hope, your response?”
Ben stands smoothly, as if he’s not about to spin every lie he can. His lawyer, a sleek, well-dressed man named Mr. Townsend, nods at him in encouragement.
“Your Honor,” Ben starts, voice so sickeningly smooth Charlie wants to be sick. “I am merely trying to do what’s best for my son. While it’s true that Mr. Spring has had primary custody up until now, I have reason to believe that he is unfit to continue in that role.”
Charlie clenches his fists. He can feel Nick watching him, silently urging him to stay calm, to not let Ben get under his skin.
Ben continues, voice laced with faux concern. “Your Honor, Mr. Spring has a history of mental instability, including hospitalizations for disordered eating and self-harm. He has a documented history of emotional distress, and I have reason to believe that his current mental health is in question. Just last month, I witnessed a concerning public outburst in which he panicked and lost control, frightening our son."
Charlie's breath hitches.
Oh, fuck.
Ben’s going for blood.
Ben’s lawyer hands over documents—medical records from Charlie’s teenage years, printed copies of legal documents from his past, probably even some school reports about Charlie’s struggles back when Ben was the one causing them.
Charlie swallows, feeling like the walls are closing in on him.
“Mr. Spring,” the judge says, looking at him now. “Do you wish to respond to these allegations?”
Charlie’s lawyer places a hand on his arm before standing. “Your Honor, my client has worked tirelessly to provide a loving, stable home for his son. His past mental health struggles are irrelevant in this case, as there is no evidence that they currently impact his ability to parent. Furthermore, we have numerous character witnesses prepared to testify to his competence as a parent, including his child’s teachers and caretakers.”
Charlie exhales shakily.
Ms. Patel continues, voice strong. “Additionally, we have evidence that Mr. Hope has a documented history of domestic violence toward my client, as well as harassment. I have here police reports detailing past incidents of physical assault, witness statements from neighbors and friends, and a written testimony from Mr. Spring’s therapist outlining the long-lasting trauma inflicted by Mr. Hope.”
She sets a thick stack of papers on the judge’s bench.
Ben’s lawyer shifts uncomfortably, adjusting his tie.
Charlie dares to glance at Ben. His smirk is gone, replaced by something colder. More dangerous.
The judge skims through the paperwork before speaking. “Mr. Hope, have you ever been arrested or convicted for domestic violence against Mr. Spring?”
Ben clears his throat, his lawyer already jumping in. “Your Honor, my client has never been convicted of any crime. Any altercations between him and Mr. Spring were personal matters, and there is no evidence proving that they impact his ability to parent.”
“Furthermore,” Ben adds, a slow smirk curling at the corner of his mouth, “I have concerns regarding Mr. Spring’s partner, Nicholas Nelson.”
Nick stiffens beside him.
Ben gestures casually, as if what he’s about to say is just an unfortunate fact.
“My son has returned to school with injuries while under Mr. Nelson’s care. A bruised cheek, a cut along his forehead. I have every reason to believe that Mr. Nelson is an unfit influence and a danger to my child. It is clear that Mr. Spring’s judgment is impaired if he is allowing an abusive partner around our son.”
Charlie stops breathing.
Charlie swallows, glancing at Nick, whose entire body has gone rigid. He’s staring straight ahead, jaw clenched, but his hands are shaking.
Ms. Patel rises again, her tone sharp. “Your Honor, these allegations against Mr. Nelson are categorically false.”
Ben’s lawyer interjects, “The injuries are well-statemented Your Honor. My client is merely concerned about his son’s safety.”
The judge nods, flipping through the reports. “Mr. Spring, do you wish to respond to these allegations?”
Charlie stands, his legs unsteady beneath him.
"Your Honor, I love my son more than anything in this world. I have done everything in my power to protect him, to give him a life free from pain and manipulation.” He swallows, his voice shaking. “Nick Nelson is one of the best people I have ever met. He is kind. He is patient. My son adores him. Calls him ‘Papa.’”
A murmur ripples through the courtroom.
Ben tenses.
Good.
Ms. Patel stands taller. “Your Honor, I’d like to call a witness to the stand. The court calls Remy Hope-Spring.”
Charlie freezes.
Remy.
His son.
The bailiff steps out, returning moments later with his small nervous boy clutching a stuffed dinosaur in one hand and a security blanket in the other. Charlie’s heart clenches painfully.
Remy is helped into the witness chair, his little legs dangling. The judge’s expression softens as he leans forward. “Hello, Remy. Do you know why you’re here today?”
Remy nods, gripping his dinosaur tighter. “To talk about Daddy and Mr. Nick.”
Ben’s lawyer steps forward first. “Remy, do you know who this man is?” He gestures toward Ben.
Remy frowns slightly. “Mr. Hope.”
Charlie’s heart nearly stops.
Ben’s expression twitches.
The lawyer clears his throat. “And do you know who Mr. Nelson is?”
Remy’s lips press together. He glances at Nick, then at Charlie. His little shoulders straighten.
"Nick is Pa—Nick. Nick is Daddy’s Nick.”
Charlie nearly chokes on air.
Ben’s lawyer stiffens but presses on. “Remy, you had some injuries recently, yes? Can you tell us what happened?”
Remy nods. “I climbed a bookshelf. It fell. Daddy was there after to help me. And Nick too.”
The lawyer’s eyes narrow. “Did Mr. Nelson ever hurt you?”
Remy hesitates, looking at Ben, then Nick, then Charlie.
Charlie grips the table. His son is good. His son doesn’t lie.
Finally, Remy sighs. “Nicky got mad and… and I guess Nick hurt my cheek. But Daddy was there to help.”
Silence.
Ms. Patel steps forward, gentle but firm. “Remy, did Mr. Nelson ever hurt you on purpose?”
Remy shakes his head. “No. Nick is nice. Nick keeps Daddy safe. Nick is Papa.”
"Your Honor," Ben continues smoothly, the picture of controlled concern, "Remy was injured under his care. His wrist was bruised, was it not? He’s clearly overwhelmed. He had an outburst in the school parking lot—in front of my son. He’s not fit to be a father."
Charlie feels sick.
"I’ve recently settled into a more stable life," Ben adds, hands folded neatly in front of him, his voice the perfect blend of reason and sincerity. "I have a home with enough space for Remy. I have financial stability. I want to be in my son’s life."
It’s a performance. Every word is crafted, rehearsed, designed to manipulate. Charlie can see it. He just hopes the judge can too.
Then comes the real evidence.
"Mr. Hope would like the court to believe he’s a changed man," Charlie's lawyer says, her voice crisp and unwavering, "but let’s talk about the facts."
Ben never attempted to contact Remy until now. No phone calls, no visits, no birthday cards, no gifts—nothing. A ghost for years, and suddenly, he wants to play father.
Ben has a documented history of domestic violence. The reports are there, in black and white. The medical records. The police reports. The evidence of bruises and broken trust, of nights Charlie spent terrified, of the fear that bled into years of recovery.
And then, the final blow.
Ben has no room set up for Remy. No documentation proving he’s prepared to take responsibility. No sign that he has ever truly intended to be a father. Because he hasn’t.
What he has done, however, is buy his way into a job he isn’t qualified for—positioning himself as the new principal, conveniently close to the child he abandoned. Manipulating the system, twisting the narrative, trying to rewrite history.
"Mr. Hope is not fit to be a father," Charlie's lawyer states firmly. "He is abusive, controlling, and entirely unprepared to care for a child. This is not about Remy’s well-being. This is about control. And the court should see it for exactly what it is."
Charlie grips the edge of the table, forcing himself to breathe.
Ben sits across from him, his mask of composure slipping, eyes dark with something simmering beneath the surface.
Charlie prays the judge sees through the lie.
And the judge agrees.
With the overwhelming evidence of Ben’s past abuse, the full custody Charlie already holds over Remy, and Ben’s glaring lack of qualifications to be a principal, it becomes clear that this was never about co-parenting. It was never about Remy’s best interests. It was about control—about Ben buying his way into a position of power, about him manipulating his way back into Charlie’s life, into Remy’s life, with a selfish, calculated goal in mind.
But the law sees through it. The judge sees through it.
The ruling is firm and final: full custody remains with Charlie. A restraining order is issued against Ben, ensuring that he will never be able to contact or approach Charlie or Remy again. Charges of assault are formally presented, and a preliminary hearing is set to determine further legal actions—potential sentencing that will ensure Ben faces consequences for the harm he has caused.
The town, too, begins to see Ben for who he really is—not the successful, charming man he pretends to be, but an abuser, a fraud, a manipulator. His reputation crumbles under the weight of the truth, and no amount of money or influence can piece it back together.
And Charlie—Charlie wins.
Not because he played dirty. Not because he lied or schemed or manipulated like Ben did.
He won because he stood his ground. Because, for the first time in years, he didn’t let fear rule him. Because he spoke his truth, fought for himself, for Remy, for the family he has built.
And he didn’t do it alone.
He had Nick’s unwavering support, the crucial video evidence Nick had gathered, the town finally seeing Ben for who he was. And, most importantly, he had Remy’s sweet, innocent voice—Remy, who looked up at the judge and simply said, "I don’t want to go with him. I want to stay with my daddy. He keeps me safe. Mr. Nick keeps me safe. Ben is scary. I don’t want him."
And that was all it took.
Charlie watches as Ben is escorted out of the courtroom, his fate sealed not by manipulation, not by money, but by justice. And when it’s over, when the weight of years of fear and uncertainty finally begins to lift, Charlie turns to Remy, scoops him up in his arms, holds him close, and whispers into his hair, “You’re mine, baby. Always mine. Never his.”
And for the first time in forever, he believes it.