Unraveling

I stepped into the courtroom, my heart pounding. My parents had ensured this was a private session,

only family, legal representatives, and court staff were present.

Mr. Adam, our lawyer, had gone to great lengths to disguise me. Dressed as an intern, I blended into the background, careful not to make eye contact with my parents as I slipped into a seat behind them.

"All rise. Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Harrison presiding,"

The bailiff announced as an elderly woman entered the courtroom.

I stole a glance at Mr. and Mrs. Bonfire.

It had been a while since I last saw Mr. Bonfire, he hadn't aged a day.

"You may all be seated,"

Judge Harrison commanded, settling into her seat with an air of authority.

As everyone took their seats, my eyes flickered back to the judge. She adjusted her glasses and began,

"This is Case No. CV-2025-0315: Edwards vs. Bonfire, regarding allegations of unlawful custody and abduction. Are both parties present?"

"Yes, Your Honor," both attorneys answered in unison.

"I will now hear opening statements. Plaintiff, you may proceed."

Mr. Adam stood, his posture firm.

"Your Honor, my clients, Mr. Henry and Mrs. Elisa Edwards, are here today because the defendants, Mr. Eric and Mrs. Kate Bonfire, have unlawfully taken custody of their son, Dan, without legal authority or consent."

He paused, his gaze steady as he looked toward the Bonfires.

"We seek his immediate return and a formal court order to prevent further incidents."

A murmur spread through the courtroom as Mr. Adam took his seat.

Judge Harrison turned to the defense. "Defense, your response?"

The Bonfires' lawyer rose, adjusting his suit before speaking.

"Your Honor, my clients contest these claims. There are critical facts yet to be presented, and we intend to prove that this situation is not as the plaintiffs describe."

A hush fell over the room.

Suddenly, Mr. Adam stood again.

"Objection, Your Honor," he said firmly, waiting for the judge's approval to proceed.

Judge Harrison nodded.

"Your Honor, years ago, my clients suffered an unimaginable loss, the disappearance of their young son. For years, they searched, desperate for answers.

Recently, however, a shocking discovery has led us here today. My clients have reason to believe that the Bonfire's, the defendant, has been raising their missing child as his own.

At this time, we are not making accusations of intent. We are simply stating that a serious doubt exists, and we are asking this court to help us uncover the truth."

Gasps rippled through the courtroom.

Judge Garrison turned to the defense.

"How do you respond to these claims?"

The defense attorney stood again, his voice steady.

"Your Honor, these claims are based purely on speculation and emotion.

My client has lived an honest life, raising his son with love and care.

The plaintiffs have no proof, only a desperate attempt to reopen an old wound.

We intend to show that my client has done nothing wrong. This is his son, and we will fight to protect their bond."

The courtroom fell into silence once more.

Judge Harrison carefully adjusted her glasses before speaking.

"At this point, we are not here to pass judgment. We are here to examine the facts. Given the sensitivity of this case, I will allow both sides to present their arguments over multiple sessions.

For today's hearing, the focus is on the background and the circumstances that led to this case being brought forward."

She paused, then continued.

"At the next trial, the plaintiffs will submit any evidence they have, including the alleged camera footage. The defense will have the opportunity to respond.

Following this, the court will determine whether further action, such as a DNA test, is necessary."

With a firm rap of her gavel, she concluded, "Court is adjourned."

The bailiff's voice rang out. "All rise."

As Judge Garrison exited, I didn't wait for my parents to turn around. Pulling my cap lower over my face, I slipped out of the courtroom before Saint could recognize me in the crowd.

I decided to walk a few blocks away before booking a ride, hoping to put some distance between myself and home.

As I tapped my phone screen, requesting a car, a sharp vibration buzzed through my palm.

I glanced down.

Dad.

My stomach clenched.

I hesitated before answering.

Had he seen me? Had something happened?

Taking a deep breath, I swiped the call open.

"Where the hell are you?!" His voice was razor-sharp, his tone slicing through the quiet afternoon.

My heart pounded against my ribs. What had gone wrong now?

"On my way to the therapist," I stammered, my voice barely steady.

"You'd better be there before Saints arrives," he barked, then the line went dead.

I exhaled shakily, stuffing my phone back into my pocket as a black sedan rolled up in front of me.

Sliding into the backseat, I pulled out a T-shirt from my bag. Without hesitation, I yanked off the white button-down I had been wearing and slipped into something less formal. I stole a quick glance at the driver, but he remained fixated on the road, uninterested.

Leaning back against the seat, I exhaled deeply, staring out the window as the city blurred past.

I wasn't sure how I felt about today's session.and the upcoming evidence, and the DNA test.

Soon, I reached the clinic. Inside, the air was cool, sterile, with the faint scent of coffee and lemon-scented cleaning products. I approached the front desk and handed my card to the receptionist.

"You can have a seat over there," she said, pointing to the couch.

"Dr. Dave is with someone at the moment."

Nodding, I walked over to the waiting area and sank into a chair.

That's when I saw him.

My breath hitched.

Dom Bells.

He emerged from Dr. Dave's office, his sharp brown eyes locking onto mine before a slow, knowing smile spread across his lips.

"Helen," he greeted smoothly.

I swallowed, suddenly feeling tense.

"Dom, what… what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice betraying my surprise.

He chuckled. "I own a share in this place," he said casually.

I blinked. "Wait… what?"

A mischievous grin tugged at his lips. "Relax, I'm just messing with you," he said with a wink.

"I see Dr. Dave too."

A small, hesitant smile broke onto my face.

Dom's gaze lingered on me, studying me in that way he always did, like he could see through me.

"Let's hang out sometime," he said.

I stared at him, unsure.

Was he serious? After everything?

"You know, we should catch up,"

he added lightly, his tone making it clear he wasn't just talking about casual small talk.

Before I could respond, the receptionist's voice interrupted.

"Miss Helen, Dr. Dave will see you now."

I looked back at Dom. He was still watching me, waiting.

"We should," I said finally, offering him a small smile before turning toward Dr. Dave's office.

Inside, the office was just as I remembered—warm but professional, with framed degrees on the walls and the faint scent of old books.

Dr. Dave smiled as I walked in.

"Helen. It's good to see you again."

I didn't return the sentiment.

"So, should we continue?" he asked, gesturing for me to sit.

I crossed my arms.

"My parents must have told you everything by now. What exactly is all this?"

Dr. Dave's expression remained neutral. "Your parents didn't say much. Just that they're scared. That they fear they may have… altered the trajectory of your life."

I scoffed. "You lie."

He tilted his head slightly. "Do you think I'm lying? Or do you think your parents are?"

I held his gaze, feeling a flicker of anger rise in my chest.

"Either of you could be. I don't care."

Dr. Dave leaned back in his chair, watching me. "You feel like your parents hate you."

I looked away. "Don't they?"

He picked up his journal, but after a moment, he set it down again, as if deciding this was a conversation that needed full attention.

"Helen," he said gently,

"Tell me about your relationship with your parents."

I turned my gaze to the window. Outside, the world looked deceptively peaceful, the streets eerily empty, the buildings standing still under the dull gray sky.

"They hate me," I murmured. "I see it every time they look at me. Every time they speak to me. I am not enough. I could never be enough for them."

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought against the wave of emotion rising inside me.

Dr. Dave said nothing. He didn't take notes. He just listened.

I swallowed hard. "I will never be enough," I repeated, my voice breaking. "I will never be truly theirs. I know that now."

A single tear slid down my cheek, but I wiped it away before it could fully fall.

"Being here isn't even my choice," I continued bitterly. "I don't have a say. They order, I obey."

Dr. Dave finally spoke. "Helen, you have every right to feel this way."

That simple statement shattered something inside me.

Tears welled up faster now, no longer waiting for permission.

"They don't give a damn," I whispered.

"If they did, they would have noticed. They would have realized they ruined me. That I'm not okay."

The walls around me blurred, and for the first time, I took in the room—really took it in. The bookshelves, the plants, the clock ticking quietly on the wall.

And then I looked back at Dr. Dave, my voice trembling as I spoke the words that had been sitting like lead in my chest.

"Do you really want to know why I'm here?"

Dr. Dave didn't respond immediately.

He only nodded, waiting for me to continue.

I let out a shaky breath before dropping the bombshell.

"We just found out my boyfriend might be their long-lost son."

The silence that followed was deafening.

I watched as Dr. Dave's face shifted from professional neutrality to pure shock.