Over the weekend Donna and Eva did their best to distract themselves and the girls from the recent events. They went to the water park and the zoo which made both of the girls truly excited. It did work for the two women too.
It wasn't until Sunday evening that Suzie asked about her uncle.
"Eva, is uncle Cal back?" Suzie asked.
"I'm not sure, dear." Eva responded truthfully as she sat on the edge of the bed. Emmi was already snoring. "Did you recognise your uncle Cal?"
"I don't remember him very well." Suzie said. "I think I remember him when I was very small."
"Hmmm… maybe." Eva caressed Suzie's head. "I'm sure that we can work it out."
"Why did he come to our home?"
"He wanted to see you and Emmi, of course. He must've missed you."
"I'm sorry. I didn't hug him."
"You didn't have to. You don't remember him very well. It's okay to feel a little unsure."
"Do you think that we will have to go and live with him?"
"I'm not sure but I'm sure that everything will be just fine. I will always be there for you both."
"Thank you, Eva."
"I love you, Suzie. I will always be there for you. And if your uncle wants to see you, he needs to ask the judge. I'm sure the judge will be wise and listen to you and what you want. Whether it's staying with me or with your uncle."
"I want to stay with you."
"Then I'm sure that the judge will listen to you." Eva tried to be reassuring but she hardly believed her own words.
Thankfully they weren't bothered by Callum whilst at Donna's. Over the following weekend, Eva stopped by her apartment to water her plants and pick up any post. She decided to stay with Donna for another week. At least up until Donna's ex-husband was remarried.
She picked up a large letter out of the postbox and opened it in her apartment. Her hands started shaking as she realised that it was the letter from the court. It was the date of the hearing regarding the custody of the girls.
Evelyn Green vs Callum Anderson.
But it was the following words "I, Callum Anderson, request full custody of Emmeline and Suzanne Webb, who are my relatives via my sister Aileen Webb née Anderson." Which made Eva have a full panic attack. She slid onto the floor and hyperventilated, crying between shallow breaths. Her chest felt like it was about to explode and a migraine came on.
It took her nearly an hour to calm down. She felt fatigued and dizzy as she walked out of the apartment.
Eva just managed to compose herself when coming back to Donna's where Donna was looking after the girls, doing some hand paintings.
As girls went to bed, Donna caught Eva.
"What happened?" Donna asked unprompted, reminding Eva that she could never hide anything from her friend. Eva took out the letter and passed it to Donna without a word. She couldn't speak about it without panicking and crying. "Oh fuck." Was Donna's response. But soon her eyes widened. "Hang on, is that THE Callum Anderson?"
"I don't know." Eva shrugged wiping the new bout of tears.
"Eva, is this the Callum Anderson who runs the InterCOptics?"
"I don't know." Eva shook her head. Donna took her phone out and searched for the company name. She turned her phone towards Eva with the picture of the CEO on the screen.
"Is that him?" Donna asked.
"Oh my God, yes." Eva started crying more violently.
"No wonder he had ten million to give you." Donna's eyes were wide in surprise.
"I have no way of winning this." Eva was still stressing out.
"That's not true. You spend nearly a year taking care of the girls, going through adoption for the past half a year. They love you."
"Do you really think it will matter? I am living pretty much payday to payday. I can barely afford a pizza or ice cream once a month. I dread it when they start growing up of their clothing as I can barely afford to replace it."
"But you give them all that they need. You never missed a bill or rent payment. You're caring and loving. You provide them with all that they need in every way possible."
"But my worth is not in billions. I have no influence or power. I don't even have a decent lawyer. I can't afford any lawyer at all, for that matter."
"Eva, you've made it through a shitshow before. We can prepare for it. We'll study law every night until the hearing."
"The hearing next week?" Eva asked sceptically. "Are you mad?"
"I have some savings." Donna admitted, trying to come up with a solution.
"I ain't touching your money." Eva said sharply. She was too proud of that solution.
"Evie, we will work it out." Donna tried to be comforting as she squeezed Eva's hand. But Eva just stared at the picture on the phone. "There's an alternative." Donna started with a slightly mischievous smile.
"What bloody alternative?"
"You seduce that prick and you end up with the joined custody."
"What?" Eva looked up at Donna with surprise.
"Seduce him. Marry him. Take half of his money and get joined custody."
"You're mental."
"He looks freaking good."
"He is a multi-billionaire with a queue of women behind him. I have no chance."
"I like how you considered it."
"You know that I'd do anything for the girls."
"I know." Donna nodded with a slight smile.
"I may be able to find a lawyer."
"Ooh."
"It's a shitty solution but a solution."
"Go on?"
"Peter's brother is a lawyer. I think he has some experience in a family court."
"Who's mental now?" Donna's face twisted in disgust at the mention of Peter, Eva's ex.
"Do you have a better idea?"
"If we're on the topic of exes. My ex-father-in-law was a lawyer."
"Maybe we messed up when we split up with our exes?" Eva asked as she rubbed her face in worry.
"Don't be stupid." Donna took out her phone and started looking through the contacts list. "Actually… not the best solution but might be better than the previous two. My cousin is a newly certified lawyer. She has barely any experience so she would be willing to take it for the pennies. But…"
"She doesn't have any experience." Eva sighed. "Sure. Let's do that." Eva agreed feeling hopeless.
Donna quickly messaged her cousin and the following morning Eva was already meeting her as Donna dropped Suzie and Emmi at school.
Sarah was young and inexperienced but very willing to help. Eva purposely omitted to mention that the person she was going against was the CEO of the biggest tech company in the world. Which was probably the only reason why Sarah agreed to go ahead with it.
Every night, Eva Donna and Sarah sat together, preparing their arguments using different selling points.
The day of the hearing was fast approaching.