Maria's hands trembled as she read the legal notice.
A petition for full custody of Junior—on the grounds of "instability, media attention, and unsuitable upbringing."
She stared at the stamped seal, her breath catching in her throat.
It wasn't signed by Alexander.
But the legal team? His father's.
And she knew then—it wasn't just Vanessa.
It was his family.
Trying to erase her quietly.
---
Alexander burst into his father's office that afternoon, slamming the paper onto the mahogany desk.
"What is this, Dad?"
Mr. Madu adjusted his glasses calmly. "An insurance policy. You've been distracted. Emotional. That woman is not a fit match for our legacy."
"She's the mother of my child!"
"And a PR nightmare."
Alexander clenched his jaw. "I told you before. If you ever go near my son—"
"You'll what? Walk away from your inheritance?" his father sneered.
Alexander paused. Then spoke slowly. "If it comes to that… yes."
His father's face darkened. "You'd choose her over everything?"
"I'd choose right over reputation."
---
That night, Maria sat across from Alexander in his apartment. Junior was asleep between them on the couch.
"I don't know if I can fight this," she whispered. "They have more power. More money."
"But you have me," he said. "And this time, I won't disappear when it gets hard."
She looked at him for a long moment. "Then let's show them—Junior is not a pawn."
Alexander nodded. "We fight. Together."