Furthermore, he is petitioning for sole custody of their two children, Leo and Luna Montgomery. He paused, letting the words hang in the air before turning a pitying look towards Poppy. It is Mr. Montgomery's belief, supported by substantial evidence we will present today, that Miss Petrova is not currently capable of providing a stable and suitable environment for these children. Her emotional state has become erratic.

Her financial situation is dire. Mr. Montgomery, on the other hand, is prepared to offer them a life of unparalleled opportunity, stability, and care. Poppy's blood ran cold, erratic, dire. He had engineered her financial situation.

He had caused her emotional distress. She felt David place a calming hand on her arm. "Stay calm," he murmured. It's just rhetoric.

We'll get our turn. But as Mr. Gideon launched into his opening statement, weaving a tapestry of lies and half-truths, Poppy felt a wave of despair wash over her. He made her sound like a hysterical, incompetent pauper. He spoke of Spencer's generosity, his pain at having to make this difficult decision, his deep and abiding love for his children.

Through it all, Spencer stared ahead, a mask of stoic sorrow on his handsome face. Bianca watched Poppy, her eyes glittering with triumph. It was a perfectly choreographed performance. And in that moment, Poppy knew this couldn't be a fair fight.

They had all the money, all the power, and the best lawyer in the state. All she had was the truth. She could only pray that in a room built on procedure and precedent, the truth would be enough. Mr. Gideon was a master of his craft.

He moved around the courtroom with the predatory grace of a panther. His voice, a carefully modulated instrument that could convey sympathy, disappointment, and grave concern all in the same sentence. He wasn't just a lawyer. He was a storyteller.

And the story he was telling was of a benevolent, successful man being dragged down by a clinging, unstable wife. Your honor, Gideon began, we will present evidence of Miss Petrova's increasing volatility. We have testimony from a former neighbor, a Miss Jenkins, who will speak to episodes of distress, shouting, crying, items being thrown within the home during the final months of the marriage. Poppy's jaw tightened.

Ms. Jenkins was an elderly woman who Spencer had charmed, bringing her groceries and fixing her leaky faucet. Poppy, meanwhile, had been isolated, dealing with the stress of a crumbling marriage and two infants. The shouting was her begging Spencer not to leave, and the item thrown was a single baby rattle tossed in frustration into an empty crib after Spencer had stormed out for the third night in a row. They were twisting her pain into a weapon against her.

Furthermore, Gideon continued, gesturing towards a thick binder on his table. We have financial records. Since the separation, Miss Petrova has depleted her savings. There are multiple declined debit card transactions.

She has moved into a small one-bedroom apartment in a less-than-desirable neighborhood. Is this the environment for the heirs to the Montgomery legacy? David Chen shot to his feet. Objection, your honor.

Mr. Gideon is mischaracterizing the situation. My client's financial status is a direct result of Mr. Montgomery cutting off her access to marital assets. Judge Carmichael held up a hand. Sustained.

"Mr. Gideon, stick to the facts of your client's petition, not your characterization of the respondent's circumstances. You will have your turn, Mr. Chen."

Gideon gave a slight deferential bow. "Of course, your honor. The facts are that Mr. Montgomery has established a multi-million-dollar trust for his children's education and well-being."

He has a spacious, secure home. He has enlisted the services of a highly recommended full-time nanny. He is in every conceivable way the more suitable parent. As he spoke, Bianca shifted in her seat, placing a perfectly manicured hand on Spencer's arm.

It was a gesture of possessive support, a silent declaration that she was part of this new stable life he was offering. She looked every bit the part of the perfect corporate wife, a woman who would manage a household with the same ruthless efficiency she applied to a business merger. Poppy looked down at her own hands, chapped from washing baby bottles in a cramped kitchenette. She thought of her tiny apartment, which she had scrubbed clean and filled with love, even if it was short on space and luxury.

She thought of the sleepless nights walking the floor with a calicky Leo while Luna was teething. Where was Spencer then? He was building his new life, his new image with Bianca. Judge Carmichael was watching them all, her expression unreadable.

Her eyes, however, seemed to linger on Bianca. "Mr. Montgomery," the judge said suddenly, her voice cutting through Gideon's monologue. "Is this woman?" she gestured with her pen towards Bianca. "Miss Bianca Langley, your current partner?"

Spencer was momentarily taken aback. "Yes, your honor. Bianca and I are together. She has been a tremendous source of support during this difficult time."

"I see," the judge said, making a small note on her pad. And does she intend to be involved in the children's lives? Should you be granted sole custody? Absolutely, Spencer said, his confidence returning.

Bianca adores the twins. She looks forward to being a positive and influential figure in their upbringing. A small choked sound escaped Poppy's lips. Adores them.

Bianca had met them once. A staged 10-minute encounter in a park where she'd barely looked at them. Spending more time checking her reflection in her phone screen. Luna, perhaps sensing her mother's distress, began to fuss.

She squirmed on the bench and let out a small cry. "Mama, up!" Poppy's heart hammered against her ribs. This was exactly what she had feared, what David had warned her about, a disruption, proof of her inability to control her own children.

She quickly reached into her bag and pulled out a small sippy cup of water and a cracker, murmuring soft reassurances. Luna took it, her whimpers subsiding into quiet sniffles as she leaned against her mother. Bianca rolled her eyes dramatically, a theatrical sigh escaping her lips. It was a small gesture, but it was meant for the judge to see.

It said, "See, this is what we're dealing with. Chaos." Mr. Gideon seized the moment. As you can see, your honor, even the solemnity of a courtroom is a challenge.