Chapter 109 CUSTODY RULING

Chapter 109 CUSTODY RULING
Lucian's Pov

The tribunal chamber was packed with even more people than at the preliminary hearing. Everyone wanted to witness the final decision about Asher's custody. I sat next to Celestia at our table and I could feel her trembling beside me even though she was trying to appear calm.

Attorney Sarah stood and began presenting our case to the tribunal judges. She had organised everything perfectly and I was confident we would win but I knew Celestia would not relax until she heard the final ruling.

"Your honours this tribunal has already seen overwhelming evidence that Celestia is the biological mother of the child known as Asher. Today we are here to determine permanent custody arrangements. I will begin by summarising the evidence we have presented," Attorney Sarah said.

She outlined the timeline with precision, referencing DNA verification, medical testimony, and documented neglect. Each point was delivered clearly, leaving no room for ambiguity. The pattern was undeniable: deception at birth, years of separation, and measurable harm to the child. Attorney Sarah concluded by emphasizing that custody was not a punishment or reward, but a decision rooted solely in Asher’s best interests and long-term wellbeing.

She pulled out the DNA test results and held them up for everyone to see.

"First we have scientific DNA evidence proving with 99.9 percent certainty that Celestia gave birth to this child five years ago. This evidence is irrefutable and was obtained from samples preserved by Dr Lake on the night of delivery," Attorney Sarah said.

She moved to the next piece of evidence.

"Second we have the full confession of Dr Samara Lake who admitted under oath that she falsified medical records at the direction of Eclipse. She was paid over two hundred thousand dollars to lie about who gave birth to Asher and to testify that Celestia's baby died. Dr Lake provided bank statements and detailed documentation of this conspiracy," Attorney Sarah continued.

The judges were listening carefully and taking notes. I glanced over at Raphael's table and saw his lawyers looking uncomfortable. They knew they had no real defence against our evidence. Their unease gave me a quiet sense of vindication. For the first time since this battle began, the balance of power had shifted. Every document, every testimony, every medical record was stacking against them, piece by piece. Raphael avoided my gaze, his jaw tight, his confidence cracking. The truth was finally too heavy to ignore, and no amount of influence or legal maneuvering could erase what had been done.

"Third we have documented medical evidence of Asher's dramatic health improvement during the supervised visitation period. Over just one week, Asher's blood counts improved, his weight increased, his emotional state stabilised, and his overall health showed remarkable progress. This improvement occurred solely because he was spending time with his biological mother," Attorney Sarah said.

She called Dr Chen to the stand to testify about Asher's medical improvement. Dr Chen took the oath and sat down. She spoke calmly and precisely, explaining the changes she had observed since Celestia’s involvement increased. Asher’s appetite had improved, his sleep was more regular, and his stress indicators had decreased. Test results showed stabilizing levels that had previously been in steady decline. Dr. Chen emphasized that emotional security played a critical role in his recovery, and separating him again would likely reverse the progress already made.

"Dr Chen can you explain the changes you observed in Asher's health over the past week?" Attorney Sarah asked.

"Yes. The improvement has been extraordinary. Asher went from refusing food and treatment to cooperating fully with his medical care. His blood disorder which had been worsening for months has stabilised. His emotional state has improved from severely depressed to hopeful and engaged. In my professional opinion this dramatic turnaround is directly attributable to his reunification with his biological mother," Dr Chen said.

"What is your medical recommendation regarding custody?" Attorney Sarah asked.

"I recommend that Asher remain in Celestia's custody permanently. Separating them again would be medically harmful and could undo all the progress he has made. The bond between mother and child is clearly essential to his well-being," Dr Chen said.

"Thank you, Dr Chen. No further questions," Attorney Sarah said.

Raphael's lawyer stood to cross-examine, but he seemed half-hearted about it.

"Dr Chen is it not possible that Asher's improvement is simply due to the novelty of the visits and might not last long term?" the lawyer asked.

"No. The improvement is too significant and too sustained to be explained by novelty. This is a genuine health improvement based on emotional healing," Dr Chen said firmly.

The lawyer sat down looking defeated. Attorney Sarah called the child psychologist, Dr. Miller to testify next. Dr. Miller approached the stand with calm professionalism, his expression serious as he took the oath. He adjusted his glasses and glanced briefly at his notes before looking up at the judges. The room grew quieter, the tension tightening as everyone understood the weight of his testimony. His evaluation would not be emotional or speculative but grounded in science, development, and the psychological harm caused by prolonged separation from a child’s biological mother.

"Dr Miller you observed all seven supervised visits between Celestia and Asher. What did you observe?" Attorney Sarah asked.

"I observed a strong healthy mother-child bond. Celestia was attentive, nurturing, and responsive to Asher's needs. Asher was comfortable with her, affectionate, and clearly felt safe in her presence. Their interactions were natural and loving. I saw no signs of manipulation or coercion. This is a genuine parent-child relationship," Dr Miller said.

"What is your professional recommendation?" Attorney Sarah asked.

"I recommend full custody be granted to Celestia. Asher has made his preferences clear, and they align with his best interests. He needs to be with his biological mother for his emotional and psychological health," Dr Miller said.

After Dr Miller's testimony, Attorney Sarah presented written reports from multiple medical experts all recommending that Celestia receive full custody. The evidence was overwhelming and undeniable.

"Your honors the evidence clearly shows that Asher belongs with his biological mother. Celestia was wrongfully separated from her son through fraud and conspiracy. She has fought for five years to get him back. Now that the truth has been revealed it is time to right this terrible wrong. We ask that you grant Celestia full legal custody of Asher effective immediately," Attorney Sarah concluded.

She sat down and Raphael's lawyer stood to present their side. But what could they possibly say? All the evidence was against them. The lawyer cleared his throat and shuffled his papers, buying time he clearly did not have. His argument sounded hollow even to his own ears, full of careful wording and legal technicalities instead of substance. No amount of rhetoric could erase medical records, testimony, or DNA results. The tribunal members listened politely, but their expressions made it clear the decision was already forming in their minds.

"Your honors we acknowledge that the DNA evidence proves Celestia is Asher's biological mother. However, we ask the tribunal to consider the disruption that a sudden, permanent change in custody could cause. Asher has known Alpha Raphael as his father for five years. While supervised visits have gone well we believe a gradual transition would be better for the child," the lawyer said weakly.

It was a pathetic argument and everyone knew it. The lawyer sat down quickly.

Then Raphael stood up. His own lawyer looked surprised. Raphael walked to the front of the chamber and addressed the tribunal directly. A hush fell over the chamber as he spoke, his voice steady but strained. This was not part of the plan, and everyone could feel it. He did not look at his attorneys or the judges at first. Instead, his gaze drifted briefly toward Asher, then to Celestia. Whatever he was about to say was personal, deliberate, and irreversible, and it carried the weight of a man finally choosing honesty over strategy.

"Your honors I need to say something. My lawyer is arguing for a gradual transition but that is not what I want. I have had time to think about this situation and to observe how Asher responds to Celestia. The truth is clear. Asher is her son. He wants to be with her. And she deserves to have him after everything that was taken from her," Raphael said.

The entire chamber went silent. No one expected this.

"I am not going to fight this custody petition. I support Celestia receiving full custody of Asher. He belongs with his mother. I was wrong to keep them apart and I will not make that mistake any longer," Raphael continued.

He looked directly at Celestia when he said the next part.

"I am sorry for everything I did to you. I cannot undo the past five years but I can do the right thing now. Take our son home. Give him the life he deserves," Raphael said.

Then he sat down. His lawyers looked shocked. The entire chamber was buzzing with whispered conversations. Celestia grabbed my hand and squeezed it hard.

Judge Morrison called for order, and the room quieted.

"This tribunal has made a decision. Celestia should have full custody of the child," Judge Morrison said.

I hugged her immediately, out of excitement. We finally won the case.