Chapter 9 - The Day in Court
Two weeks later, the preliminary family court hearing convened in Fairfax County.
Ethan had hired a budget family lawyer who spent twenty minutes trying to argue that I was an unfit mother due to my military obligations.
"Your Honor," the lawyer argued, gesturing toward me where I sat in a tailored civilian suit beside Howard. "Colonel Vance is subject to sudden deployment! She has spent years overseas! She cannot provide the stable, nurturing environment that my client, an entrepreneur with a flexible schedule, can provide!"
Judge Patricia Hall, a sixty-year-old jurist known for her zero-tolerance policy for domestic gamesmanship, adjusted her spectacles and looked at Ethan’s attorney.
"Counsel," Judge Hall said dryly, "have you read the evidence submitted by the petitioner?"
"I... I have reviewed the filings, Your Honor, but—"
"Then you are aware," Judge Hall interrupted, "that your client sent a text message at two o'clock in the morning ordering the mother of his child to remain hidden in the attic during her son's seventh birthday party?"
Ethan shrank into his chair.
"You are also aware," the judge continued, "that during the three deployments Colonel Vance undertook, your client billed over sixty thousand dollars in child care to an au pair agency while he spent four nights a week at luxury resorts and golf clubs?"
"Your Honor, those were business trips!" Ethan shouted, unable to control himself.
*Bang!*
The gavel slammed down like a gunshot.
"Silence, Mr. Sterling!" Judge Hall commanded. "I have reviewed the guardian ad litem report. Seven-year-old Noah Vance—and I note he has requested his mother’s surname—described his father as someone who 'yells at Mom and plays golf.' He described his mother as the person who reads to him every night on video call, who built his treehouse, and who keeps every promise she makes."
Judge Hall took off her glasses and stared directly at Ethan.
"The United States Army has entrusted Colonel Vance with four thousand soldiers and billions of dollars in strategic assets. She has served this nation with distinction while quietly paying off your catastrophic debts. The fact that you had the audacity to suggest she would 'embarrass' your family is the height of unmitigated arrogance."
She signed the order with a sharp, decisive flourish.
May you like
"Full physical and legal custody is awarded to Claire Vance. Mr. Sterling is granted two hours of supervised visitation every other Sunday at a licensed county facility. Child support will be calculated based on his imputed earning capacity. We are adjourned."
---
