Page 113 of Truck Hard

“Well,” he says finally, his tone dripping with fake concern. “I must say I’m surprised you’re pushing for this. After everything I’ve done for you and Cameron.”

“Everything you’ve done?” I can’t keep the bitterness from my voice. “You mean like beating me so hard I almost died? Or telling Cam he was worthless every chance you got?”

“Now, Hannah.” Charles Sr. cuts in smoothly. “Let’s not resort to dramatics. We all know my son has made some regrettable choices. But he’s getting help. Attending anger management classes. Surely we can work this out like civilized people?”

Civilized.The word nearly makes me laugh. Was it civilized when Charlie broke my ribs for talking to a male cashier? When he locked me in our bedroom for two days because I was ten minutes late getting home from the grocery store?

“I think we’re beyond working things out,” I say firmly. “We’re here for one reason—to establish the truth about Cam’s paternity and adjust the custody arrangement accordingly.”

Charlie’s mask slips for just a moment, revealing the rage simmering beneath. He snatches up the stack of papers his lawyer tried to hand him and tosses them across the table at me. They scatter like leaves in a storm, some sliding right off onto the floor.

“The truth?” He sneers. “You want to talk about the truth? How about the truth that you’ve been lying to me for thirteen years? That you let me raise another man’s bastard?”

Lies. All lies.He’s always known the truth. Even before me, I think.

“Charlie.” His lawyer warns sharply, but he’s too far gone now. The mask has cracked completely.

“You think this changes anything?” He leans forward, voice dropping to that dangerous whisper I know so well. “You think just because some test says he’s not mine, I’m going to let you win? Iownyou, Hannah. Both of you. And if you think—”

“That’s enough.” James’s voice cuts through Charlie’s tirade like a knife. “One more threat and this meeting is over. Need I remind you that you’re already facing multiple charges for violating the restraining order and assault with a deadly weapon?”

Charlie sits back, but his eyes still burn with hatred as they bore into me. I force myself to breathe slowly, to remember that he has no power over me. He may be dressed to impress, but he’s going right back into a cell when this meeting is over.

“The test results are quite clear.” James continues smoothly, as if Charlie’s outburst never happened. He slides a copy across the table. “There is a zero percent chance that Mr. Fisher is Cameron’s biological father. And given recent events, my client is petitioning not only for the removal of Mr. Fisher’s visitationrights but also to have him removed as the father of record on the birth certificate.”

“This is preposterous.” Linda’s voice could freeze hell itself. “After everything we’ve done for that boy? The private tutors, the opportunities—”

“The isolation?” I cut in, unable to stay silent. “The verbal abuse? The way you all looked the other way while Charlie systematically destroyed his confidence?”

“How dare you?” She bristles like an angry cat. “We gave you everything. A beautiful home, financial security, social status—”

“And all it cost was my soul.” The words burst out of me with thirteen years of suppressed rage behind them. “Do you know what your son did to me? What he did to Cam? Or did you just pretend not to see the bruises, like always?”

“Now see here—” Charles Sr. begins, but I’m not finished.

“No,yousee here.” I lean forward, channeling every ounce of strength I’ve built over these past months. “I let you people control me for thirteen years. I let you convince me I was worthless, that I should be grateful for whatever scraps of affection Charlie deigned to throw my way. But I’m done. We’re done.”

Charlie’s face has gone an alarming shade of red. “You stupid bitch—”

“Mr. Fisher!” His lawyer snaps. “Control yourself.”

But Charlie is already half-rising from his chair, that familiar look of violent intent in his eyes. I flinch instinctively, hating myself for showing even that small sign of weakness.

“Sit. Down.” His dad’s voice carries enough authority that Charlie actually obeys, though his hands are trembling with barely contained rage.

“Given Mr. Fisher’s current reaction.” James continues calmly, not even missing a beat. “I think we can all agree that continued contact with Cameron would not be in the child’s bestinterest. Especially considering Cameron himself has expressed a desire to have no further contact.”

“He’s twelve.” Linda scoffs. “He doesn’t know what he wants.”

“On the contrary.” I straighten my spine, drawing strength from the thought of my son. “He knows exactly what he wants. He wants a real father—one who will love him and support him instead of tearing him down. One who will teach him how to be a good man instead of showing him all the ways to be a monster.”

“You mean Mutter?” Charlie spits the name like poison. “That grease monkey who couldn’t even man up and claim his own kid? Real father material there.”

The urge to defend Liam is almost overwhelming, but I force myself to stay focused. This isn’t about him—it’s about Cam. About giving him the chance at happiness he deserves.

“The court has already reviewed the petition,” James says, producing another document. “Given the DNA results and Mr. Fisher’s recent criminal charges, they’ve agreed to remove his name from Cameron’s birth certificate. They’ve also approved the addition of Mr. Mutter’s name, pending his formal acknowledgment of paternity.”

“This is outrageous.” Charles Sr. slams his hand on the table. “And what about the financial arrangements? Surely you don’t expect my son to continue paying support for a child that isn’t his?”

---