Chapter 21 21

Chapter 21 21


Derek’s POV

Sitting mindlessly while Lawyer Rayford questioned Aria I only wanted this court procession to be over so I could go back home and spend some time with my daughter, Lily.

She is the one who means the world to me right now since Aria left us to be with another man. The thought of it alone made my blood boil,

How could she even do that to her daughter? Our Special daughter!

Did she hate me that much?

Aria’s high-pitched voice jolted me from my thought however I refrained from staring at her direction. Sitting with my hands tucked into my trousers I listened attentively while she lamented in the courtroom.

I felt awkward as the event of that day flashed through my mind, Aria pleaded with me sounding so worried about Lily’s well-being on that day.

“Derek I apologize for trying to burden you again with Lily, but I'm stuck in traffic right now. It doesn't seem like I will be getting out of this anytime soon, so please help me pick up Aria from school. She must be so scared right now feeling like we forgot about her.” she said softly.

Listening to her that day in my office I could catch a glimpse of how much Aria cared about Lily, “Ok.” I replied before ending the call abruptly.

Everything about Aria pissed me off for a certain reason, but then I knew how much Lily meant to her.
Exhaling sharply, turning the story around was the only suggestion made by Lawyer Rayford and his team of lawyers to drag Aria’s name through the mud.

Furthermore, not forgetting the fact that she left Lily when she needed her the most and ran off to be in another man’s arms. What preposterous behavior!! I thought silently, staring at the table in front of me.

Suddenly, I heard Aria scream my name, my head turned toward her direction before I could stop myself from acting. Gazing at her from the other side of the room I could see so much hate in her eyes while Aria addressed me in court.

I stared blankly at her, but my heart was experiencing numerous emotions at once just staring at her. Listening to her call me an absent father pricked something in my heart, this was the truth during our years staying married together.

Honestly, I was not present with my Family, I would rather stay all day at work going from one meeting or another than be at home with my lovely daughter and wife.

The very next minute I saw Aria standing in front of me, eyes almost bulging out of their socket with so much pent-up anger. I froze in my chair not knowing how to react before my wife who looked ravishingly beautiful, and I knew this was not the right place to be thinking of something like that.

I frowned at her behavior on the outside and when Alpha Kane slid his hands behind her waist my heart clenched in my chest.

My forehead furrowed while I looked at the intriguing sight before, he held her so close. Instantly, I felt the urge to rip them apart with so much force none of them would be able to get back to each other.

What did she even see in this nitwit?

Redirecting my gaze forward, I could not deny the fact that Aria’s present state was a result of the huge lie my lawyers presented before the court, projecting her as an irresponsible mother.

I never thought she would do something this outrageous. Scoffing, I watched as the Judge sent her out of the courtroom before the trial would be continued.

Instantly I felt terrible since I never wanted to stoop so low as telling a lie in the court, but for my daughter, Lily I would do anything.

Even going as far as calling Aria delusional if the need arises, Lily means the world to me and I would rather die than watch Aria take her away from me.

There was no other option than this, so I refrained from having any regrets about my choice. I watched as Alpha Kane pulled her away from the courtroom, but then I could not block out her screeching cries which echoed across the room.

Aria was deeply hurt, but then I loved her so much even if I've never verbally expressed it to her. I failed as a husband to my wife, she always wanted us to spend some time together, but then I always chose work over her.

However, Aria has been the only woman I've ever been in love but I would do anything to have custody of my daughter.

I even went as far as getting the best lawyers in town to handle Lily’s case, that’s how precious my daughter is to me.

Tapping my foot impatiently on the ground while staring at the judge who gave Aria an opportunity to apologize before the court. What I never expected her to do was render an apology to me and my lawyers after we tarnished her image in court today.

Unfortunately, the judge adjourned the case due to the commotion caused by Aria’s outburst, looking at it from an angle she was already losing in court. This was good news for me, we all stood up while the judge proceeded out of the courtroom.

“You did good today Lawyer Rayford,” I said calmly while he arranged the files in a folder before placing it in his briefcase.

“Thank you, Mr. Derek.” he replied, bowing slightly.

I stood up and walked out of the courtroom without sparing a glance at Aria or Alpha Kane, but I could not miss Aria’s swollen eyes staring at me while I walked away.

She must have cried bitterly while standing at the back of the courtroom, it made me feel a certain way, but I brushed off the feeling.

Everything that happened today was for the best since it was obvious now I was the best parent to be given custody of Lily. A warm smile stretched on my lips while I stepped out of the courtroom.