When my ex-husband, Daniel, demanded full custody of our children, I felt fear tighten in my chest. He had money, influence, and the polished image of a perfect father. I was a single mother doing my best, and I worried the court would see his carefully crafted picture instead of our reality. What no one expected was that our daughter, Emily, would stand up in court and reveal something that changed everything.
Two years earlier, I had ended my marriage after discovering Daniel’s infidelity. It was the heartbreak every spouse dreads—late nights, flimsy excuses, and signs that could no longer be ignored. Walking away meant starting over from nothing. With Emily, then eight, and Jack, just five, I packed what we could and moved into a small apartment.
Life as a single mother was overwhelming. I juggled early mornings, long commutes, endless chores, and bills that never seemed to stop. Some nights I fell asleep in tears, exhausted but determined. Despite the struggle, my children had love, stability, and a safe home.
Daniel, on the other hand, embraced the role of a “weekend dad.” He took the kids on flashy trips and showered them with gifts. His social media was filled with smiling photos tagged with captions that painted him as the ultimate father. But behind the scenes, he was absent—missing school meetings, ignoring report cards, and never offering real support.
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