Chapter 3: Shared Custody

“How is this even possible,” Maryanne questions under her breath. Her hands shake as she stares at the woman across the courtroom. Her dark hair is tied back while a scowl contorts her features.

“I didn’t even know that Greg had a sister.” She says this a little louder to Max as he sits next to her, with his lawyer.

“They didn’t get along. Caroline has gotten into a lot of trouble in the past for her drug addiction. She was charged for aggravated assault. If I remember correctly, she went through rehab.” Max speaks softly as the judge walks in.

The entire room stands, waiting for the judge to reach his chair.

“What if they really give Riley to her?” Maryanne bites her lip, her mind racing. Would she ever see Riley again? How will Caroline raise her?

“Don’t worry, that won’t happen.” Max grasps her quivering hand and squeezes.

She looks into his emerald gaze, her heart swaying. Why does he have to be so kind?

The judge clears his throat, “I have reviewed the documents and statements I was given. I have come to the decision that Caroline Ryder is not a suitable guardian for Riley. Custody has been denied.”

Caroline releases what sounds almost like a growl and she barks out, “That isn’t fair. I have every right to that child. She is my flesh and blood!”

Two officers hold her back as her gaze lands on Maryanne.

“I won’t let you take her!”

Maryanne leans against Max unknowingly, fear catching in her throat. She gulps and grips his hand tighter.

As Caroline is dragged form the courtroom, the judge turns back to them.

“I am aware that you have both applied separately for custody of Riley. Unfortunately, because of your work schedule, Max, and your financial status, Maryanne, I cannot relinquish the child into either of your hands exclusively. I can set up a joint partnership through foster care, where you both will take care of the child together and in one year we can revisit the topic of adoption.”

Wait. Maryanne’s mind goes hazy and she pulls away from Max. “So we will have to take care of her together?”

The judge nods, “Yes, that is the only option I see that benefits Riley. With only one of you as her guardian, she will lack her basic needs.”

Max leans forward, his brow furrowing, but he remains silent. His lawyer clicks her pen.

“What do you say,” she questions her client.

He shrugs, watching Maryanne out of the corner of his eye. “It sounds like a feasible option, and it will only be for a year, correct?”

“Yes,” she nods.

“Alright.”

“You can’t be serious,” Maryanne hisses at him. “You really want to share custody for an entire year?”

“Why not,” he smirks softly at her.

Maryanne remains silent for a moment, staring at Max. Is he serious? After everything they have gone through, he would be okay with this?

If he is willing to put up with her for a year, how does that make her look, if she is not?

“Okay, fine,” she sighs.

“Alright, then it is settled,” the judge speaks up. “For a year, as of tomorrow, you will both care for the child, Riley Ryder, under the same roof.”

Maryanne remains silent, her mind going through what was just said. She doesn’t catch on until the judge has already left the courtroom.

“What,” she bites out. “Under the same roof?”

“Yes,” Max’s lawyer, whose name Maryanne is unable to remember, explains. “That is the one stipulation. Riley needs the stability of living in one house and not swapping between two different homes, especially after this tragedy.”

Max stands, causing Maryanne to follow suit.

“How are we going to handle that,” she wonders, anxiety vibrating through her entire body. “You live all the way in the city. It’s an hour’s drive.”

Max sighs, cocking his brow before folding his arms. “I am not living in that small apartment of yours. ”

Heat rises up into Maryanne’s cheeks, but she continues to stare him down. “Then where do you expect us to live?”

“I’ll figure it out,” he states, turning his back on her and striking up a conversation with his lawyer.

Maryanne is left, standing by herself. She brings her right arm over to hold onto her left bicep, silently eyeing the room. Everyone else is busying themselves with their work and the next case. Maryanne stands awkwardly, her gaze finally landing on Max’s back. Is she really going to be stuck in the same house as him? What is she going to get out of her lease?

Sighing, Maryanne turns back away from the CEO.

<<

Maryanne stands in front of her bookcase in her small bedroom. The books are overflowing, yet stacked neatly, several placed on her desk since her shelves have no more room. She sighs, stretching up, her stomach showing as her shirt lifts up.

“Do I start packing now,” she mumbles. “Is Max even going to plan anything?”

She itches her neck and sits down on her bed. Maryanne does not feel comfortable giving up all of the decisions and hoping that it will all be figured out without her.

As her phone vibrates in her pocket, Maryanne shifts to take it out of the pocket of her sweatpants. Max’s name is lit up on her screen.

“Yes,” she squeaks out, a lump in her throat. Why does her heart race every time she talks to him? He broke her heart; she should hate him.

“I have our housing arrangements worked out. I will text you the address. Bring Riley tomorrow and I will give you a tour.” Max’s voice is even deeper over the phone causing Maryanne to swallow her emotions.

“Oh, alright.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow.”

Before she can respond, Max hangs up. Her heart twisting, she sighs and opens her messages as she receives another text.

“Wait a minute,” she says softly, copying the address and placing it into her maps app.

Zooming in on the pin, Maryanne realized exactly where the house is.

“This is the rich district of Edenville. Where a lot of farmers live,” she states out loud. “What exactly has Max done?”