Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
SOPHIA'S POV
My face fell as soon as Thomas broke the news to me. How would I have forgotten that Ricardo and I are still married in the court of law? But that wasn't my main concern, my main concern is how to get my children away from this bastard.
Separations doesn't equate to divorce and I have forgotten about it since I was so focus to get the children I never thought about it.
I stared at Thomas and he returned the stare at me.
"I don't think there is anyway I can help you both until you get a divorce, It won't be possible to push for the child custody unless…" Thomas trailed off and I swallowed, hope blooming in my heart.
"Unless what Thomas?" I asked and he sighed.
"It's not a good idea, Sophia" he said. I was about to ask him what it was when I saw the look in his eyes, I knew something was up and decided to ask him later when we leave here.
"What Mr. Cooper here might have not said is that, the child custody case can be filed on the basis that a parent had defaulted in their responsibilities" Bradley Smith, Lucas Lawyer said. That wasn't something difficult for me, Lucas isn't a responsible father it would be easy for me to file for the custody of the kids.
"That isn't an hard feat for me, the case is on my side" Lucas said cockily and smiled then twirled on his chair. I glanced at the idiot, does he think I would give up my kids without a fight?
"Do you think the court would really be on your side when I tell the court how much of a cheating bastard you are? No child deserves to watch their father with different women" I said.
"This is the case of pot calling the kettle black, I think you have forgotten you left your kids with me three years ago, I can win this case easily without putting up much fight" Lucas smirked. My face paled and I swallowed as I stared at him, he might have me now but I will find a way.
"And remember the kids have been with me for the past three years, I have taken care of them when you weren't here don't think the case would rule in your favor" he added.
"Just because you took care of them Lucas would not mean you would get custody of them" I said strongly even though I was scared and deep down I know Lucas was right.
"I would love to see the look on your face when I get custody of them" Lucas said.
"You wish Lucas, we are getting a divor…"
"Sophia, a word with you please" Thomas cut me short from my statement.
I glared at Lucas then nodded and walked out with Thomas.
"What is it that is so important you couldn't wait for the meeting to be over?" I asked annoyed.
"Sophia, I need you to keep a calm head. If you both should get a divorce, honestly I am talking to you not only as your friend but also as your lawyer, he has more claims than you" Thomas said.
"No, Thomas you are seeing this wrongly, I also have a claim, I could tell the court that he…"
"...cheated on you? Sophia you left your kids for three fucking years! Do you think the court will grant custody to a woman who left her kids for three years or to the husband who has been raising and nurturing the kids?" Thomas said and my eyes welled up in tears.
"But it wasn't my fault Thomas, he…" I sniffed and wiped the tears that trailed down the left side of my cheeks.
"I know Sophia and that's why I came up with something; a plan which can help you get your kids" Thomas said.
"What is it? What's the plan? I would do anything Thomas just to be with my babies" I said.
"You go back and live with Lucas as husband and wife then after some months you proceed with the divorce" He said. The statement hit me like a bomb.
"What? No!" I shrieked in shock and disgust, never would I spend another day in that piece of shit house.
"You can't suggest such aweful and, and, and, insane thing to me, no, I won't go back to that psychopath, I refuse to do that to myself" I replied.
"You are not doing this for yourself Sophia, you are doing this for your kids. Let me explain, when you return back to him and stay for six months or even a year…"
"That is ridiculous! A year with that bastard, hell to the fucking no! Give me something else Thomas" I vented out frustratingly.
"Listen Sophia, when you stay with for that long period, his claims of you leaving the kids for three years can be forfeited" he said and I paused to get a proper view of him.
"You mean, if I stay with Lucas for sometime, the court might not take the claim valid?" I asked.
"Yes, hopefully, it works in most cases. Just make sure you are always with the kids" he said.
"Fine, I will do it" I sighed, I guess I have to do anything to get my kids even if it means still bring married to that pig.
"Great choice Sophia" Thomas smiled at me and I returned a less enthusiastic smile at me.
"I hope this works" I said.
"It will" he replied.
"Let's get back in" I said and we walked back to Lucas's office.
*****
I opened the door and Lucas jerked his head up, it seemed like he wss having a strategic discussion with his lawyer also.
"Well, Sophia, what is your decision?" Lucas asked smirking at me, I wish I could wipe that smirk away from his face.
"Since my kids are in your house and I am still married to you, then your house is my house" I said confidently, I watched the smirk on Lucas's face vanished and I pattted myself inwardly.
"What do you mean by that statement?" He asked.
"What I meant, my darling husband is that I am back to stay" I replied walking close to him.
"I don't understand" Lucas muttered staring at me in confusion.
"I know you can be dumb sometimes but I will take my time to explain it to you. What I mean is that. I…"
"You didn't just call me dumb?" He said rising uo from his seat.
"I did or you have also become deaf also" I said.
"Please let's refrain from calling each other derogatory names." Bradley said nervously.
"No, Bradley, she can call me all she wants" he suddenly smiled.
"At the end of the day, she is not going to have my kids." He said coldly as he stared deeply at my eyes, you would think he was searching my soul for secrets.
I shot him a deadly glare and he shot one that matches mine at me, we were in a staring competition.
"Ahem, please Mr. Cooper can we have a discussion outside please?" Bradley said and Thomas went out with him leaving I and Lucas alone in the office.
Lucas stared at me then moved his eyes to my body, he kept on roaming my body then smirked.
"Did you come here dressed like this in order to seduce me?" He asked with a smile on his lips.
"Oh please, quit being over yourself" I rolled my eyes at his useless assumption.
"You are nothing and I wouldn't go through any stress to impress you, I don't impress people that have no significant role in my life" I replied and he laughed.
My words were meant to hurt but he had laughed at it instead, he might be putting those laughter to cover up the hurt of my words.
"Are you sure? Because it doesn't seem so me" he said, now silently chuckling.
"You can bet your ass, sweetheart, after all you don't know how to satisfy a woman" I replied, holding a smile to match his own.
"Oh really, you sure have one hell of a mouth don't you?"
He stood up from his chair and walked towards me. He put his hand on the hand of the chair caging me in while i breathed in his cologne.
"You and I know that's not true" he whispered into my ear, his breath tickling my neck.
He trailed his fingers softly on my neck as he spoke "Unless, perhaps you have forgotten how I feel and you want a reminisce"
"Remember when you would come visit in my office and how I will always take you here on my table" his last statement snapped the last piece and slapped him hard across the face.
"You disgusting piece of shit, you think I am one of those sluts you…"
I said as I gave him the meanest glare I could muster. the door opened before I completed my statement as Thomas and Bradley walked in again.