Marcus leaned toward him. You didn't say her father was Roman Barlo. Julian said nothing. I stared straight ahead, but inside something old and bruised was uncurling.
Not because my father had power, but because Julian had so confidently banked on my abandonment that the mere sight of someone standing up for me felt like an outrage to him. My father was sworn in. Hope walked to the stand. Please state your name.
Roman Barlo. Mr. Barlo, what is your relationship to Miss Barlo? She is my daughter. The word landed softly.
Daughter. For years, I had let Julian make me feel like an ex-daughter, a difficult daughter, a daughter too proud to come back. My father said it as if no time had passed. Hope continued.
Are you aware of these proceedings? Yes. When did Miss Barlo contact you regarding this matter? My father gave me a quick glance.
Recently, not because the support wasn't there, but because she was made to believe she shouldn't ask for it. Marcus jumped up. Objection, hearsay, sustained. Judge McCarthy nodded.
Mr. Barlo, please stick to the facts. My father nodded. Factually, my home is available to my daughter and granddaughter. Financial support is available.
Child care support is available. Transportation, medical care, and a permanent residence are available. Hope handed him a document. Do you recognize this?
Yes. It's a trust established by my late wife for Ara. When was it established? 8 years ago.
Before Miss Barlo married Mr. Callaway? Yes. Does Miss Barlo have access to resources through this trust? Yes.
Julian looked like he had swallowed glass. Hope submitted the document to the judge for review. Mr. Barlo, she said, "Have you ever refused to support your daughter or granddaughter? " "No."
Did Miss Barlo ask you to take control of these proceedings? No. What did she ask for? My father looked at me again.
She asked me to stand behind her, not in front of her. The words went through me like a hand on my back. Hope nodded. Why is that significant?
Because my daughter is not helpless, he said. She is the mother who has been caring for Lilia. My role is to make it clear she is not without support. Marcus stood for cross-examination, looking less pleased now.
Mr. Barlo, isn't it true that you and your daughter were estranged for several years? It is true. So, your testimony of support is a recent development. My presence in court is recent.
My willingness to support her is not. You were not present for the birth. I was not informed she was in labor. Julian looked down.
Marcus pressed on. You did not visit the child regularly after the birth. You were not aware of your daughter's living conditions. I am now.
Convenient timing. My father looked at him. I would call it overdue. A few people in the back rows shifted.
Judge McCarthy's mouth didn't move, but her gaze sharpened. Marcus tried another angle. Isn't it true, Mr. Barlo, that your wealth gives Miss Barlo an artificial advantage in this proceeding? My wealth does not wake up at 3:00 a.
M. To feed Lilia. Ara does. The room went completely still.
My throat tightened so fast I had to look down. My father continued, "My wealth does not know what formula the baby eats, who her doctor is, what her vaccination schedule is, her sleep patterns, or her medical history. " Ara does. My resources can support an environment.
They do not replace a parent. Hope wasn't smiling, but I could feel her satisfaction from 3 ft away. Marcus had no further questions. When my father stepped down from the stand, he didn't touch my shoulder.
He didn't need to. He returned to his seat behind me. Julian was staring at the table. Sloan was staring at Julian.
Beatrice was staring at me as if seeing not a discarded daughter-in-law, but a door she hadn't noticed was locked from my side. Judge McCarthy turned a page. Miss Stratton, your next witness. Hope stood.
We call Gail Johnson. Julian's head snapped up. He didn't know the name, but he was about to. Nurse Gail walked to the stand in scrubs and practical shoes, carrying herself with the calm authority of a woman who has seen men faint during delivery and then take credit for the baby's eye color.
She was sworn in, sat and looked at Hope, never once glancing at Julian. "Miss Johnson," Hope said, "what is your profession?"
"I am a registered nurse in labor and postpartum care."
"Were you on duty when Miss Barlo delivered Lilia?"
"Yes."
"Did you interact with Miss Barlo during and after the delivery?"
"Yes." Hope walked her through the timeline first.
Gail laid it out cleanly, admitted at 4:12 a.m. Patient alone. Husband listed as support person.
Patient attempted calls. Labor progressed. Baby delivered in the evening. Husband arrived approximately 3 hours post delivery.