Eliana was very nervous today.

Today was the last day of the visitation of the social worker. She's going to tell her exactly what she thinks of her as a guardian.

When the social worker arrived Eliana invited her to the living room.

"Mrs Snow-," she started as they sat at the table. She was about to inform her about the results of the months of her observations.

"-Vincenti"

"Mrs Vincenti, I'm sorry to be blunt I hope you understand it's the nature of my work to speak about things that might make a person uncomfortable," the social worker said in a formal voice.

"Yes, of course," Eliana replied her hands clenched in the fists under the table. She was so nervous.

"I don't think you're a good guardian for Casey. I'm sorry"

Eliana felt like her world is crashing down. What did she say?

"Regardless of recent improvements and sudden marriage, you're still young and inexperienced. During your time with Casey, she has been removed from the school within a few months. You've been fired from a job at the coffee shop, then resigned from a grocery store, you've been briefly hired at the nightclub. For how long do you plan to stay at your current job? Your swift career changes don't scream stability. Maybe if your husband apply for shared custody I would consider it a good option but you alone are not fit to be the guardian of a troubled child that Casey, I'm sorry"

"What the fuck are you talking about you dumb bitch?!" It was Casey. She stormed into the room angrily. She was eavesdropping this whole time. "You haven't seen me troubled yet! Don't speak to Eliana like that"

"Casey, please" Eliana started quietly.

"Shut it, Eli, gosh. just for once stand up for yourself you're just gonna let her insult you like that?!"

"It's time for me," The woman said her lips shifting into a thin line, she was pissed off.

After the social worker left Casey was still angry and Eliana was still trying to process what just happened. She will lose the custody case without a positive opinion. It's over. She hid her face in her hands.

"Why do you always have to be like that?" Casey whispered she was crying just like her right now "Why can't you just for once believe that you're enough? Don't you see that you are the best guardian that I could ever have? My only family member, that's left? If you don't understand it how can she?" She said, her voice breaking.

"Casey wait," Eliana said in a hoarse voice but her sister was already storming out of the room.

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The twins were in the living room when they saw Casey storming through the corridor. She was running towards the front door.

Remi, unfortunately for her, was quicker.

"Woah" He caught her at the last moment. "What's happening? Why are you crying?"

It was the first time when Casey was not stopped from running by security and instead one of the brothers stopped her. Many things have changed since her last escape attempt including her relationship with the twins.

Unlike bodyguards, Remi wasn't just keeping her in place to stop her from moving. Remi was hugging her.

It was so surprised to Casey that she didn't do what to do at first. She didn't even know when she's starting to return a hug.

"Casey? Tell us what's wrong. I will fix it for you" Remi said. When he started petting her hair reassuringly she completely broke down and started crying into his chest.

"You can't fix it social services are going to take me away from here" she sobbed into his chest as he petted her hair.

"Bullshit. Casey. It's bullshit. You're not going anywhere. Look at me" Remi said firmly.

"Casey, I know one thing for certain - I'm not losing another sister. If they want to take you I don't know how many cops would have to show up here for us to let it to happened. Hell, we will just get our private jet and move out somewhere. But we won't need to because Rafael will fix it. Either way, you're staying with us"

🌸🌸🌸

Eliana was now sitting in her room trying to come up with a logical plan of action. Nothing came to her mind. Suddenly the door opened.

"What are you doing home so early?" she asked surprised by Rafael's presence.

"Remi called me. He said I need to come back home and talk to you. What happened? Why have you been crying?

"Casey's social worker said I'm not fit to become her permanent guardian. If she's going to repeat it at a court hearing it's over. They will take her away from me"

"Eliana-"

"The wedding didn't help" Eliana continued speaking in despair. she didn't even notice that she has just interrupted Rafael. "That's it. I'm done. I'm going to lose her"

"Eliana we had a deal. Remember? I help you with custody and your uncle and you give me half of your company. The deal still stands. I will not let anyone take Casey from you because that would mean I didn't hold up my end of the bargain" Rafael explained.

"You mean it?" Eliana asked hopefully.

"Every word. So please for the love of God stop crying"

He was now kneeling in from of her. She could see his strong gaze meeting hers, a confused one.

"You can't fix it, Rafael. You can't change that woman's opinion, she already made up her mind"

"You underestimate me, my darling. I will do whatever is necessary. Casey will stay here with us. This is her home now and yours" he said, his voice full of conviction.

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After Eliana left the room Casey still wasn't exactly calm. She didn't plan to run away though if those were the last hours spent at this house at least she could use them to have some fun. The mansion was amazing and she didn't want to be unappreciative.

She entered the basement where they had stored a mini-cinema because she noticed there's also a bar with all kinds of drinks there.

Soon she was sitting on the comfortable leather sofa sipping a whiskey straight from the bottle, cried, and eventually fell asleep.

She woke up around 10 p.m. and looked around the room. No one was there which meant she had a slim chance of getting away with her little mischief.

Everyone was probably asleep, in their rooms or working.

She was just reaching towards the door handle when someone stopped her.

"Care to tell me why do you smell like a liquor store, Casey?"

"Um- Idon't. Goodnighttt"

Casey was about to enter her room quickly when someone pulled her towards the corridor by the back of her shirt. She would fall if Remi didn't catch her.

"Where did you get the alcohol from?"

"Is this interrogation or something? I'm going to sleep" Casey responded.

But Remi did not let go, he followed her into the room.

"Answer me," he said and snatched one of the plush frogs from Casey's bed.

That sobered Casey enough. How dare he? Casey had a sizeable collection of her plush frogs and she would never let anyone touch them.

"Leave him alone"

"I don't know, maybe I should throw that ugly frog of yours outside of the window or tear its head off. Will that make you cooperate?"

He did not. Could not.

"Let go of Marcel" she repeated firmly trying to keep her balance.

"You gave that thing a name?" Remi asked surprised.

"Maybe I did, so what?" Casey asked aggressively.

„So I want to know where did you got alcohol from or you're not seeing Marcel ever again"

"I will tell Rafael that you're a bully," Casey said regarding with mistrust a person who was holding the biggest and most valuable frog in her collection.

"Will you also tell him that you got hammered or will you skip this small detail?" Remi challenged and Casey looked away knowing that he was right. She couldn't tell on him without getting herself in trouble first.

"What's the difference? Whatever stupid punishment I get it doesn't matter. I won't be here to experience it" Casey responded.

"Are you deaf? I told you you're not going anywhere" Remi said.

"I don't believe you! Now let go of Marcel, hand him over," she said firmly

"He's staying hostage until you tell me from where did you get alcohol"

"If you don't let go of Marcel, I'll go to your room and paint those boxing gloves of yours with pink nail polish" Casey threatened.

"So you want to die," Remi said darkly, taking the threat very seriously.

Remi and Casey were in the middle of stating contest when Milo entered the room. He leaned on the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest and looked at them with clear judgment in his eyes.

"What's the noise all about? Some people are trying to sleep in this house" Milo said.

"You're brother is an ass" Casey responded.

"Why do I smell alcohol from here?" Milo asked.

"Because that little menace got drunk," Remi told on her.

"Mind your fucking business" Casey yelled.

„Don't cuss" Milo remained and both Remi and Casey rolled their eyes. "What are you both trying to do here?"

"I'm trying to establish where did she got alcohol from. You didn't sneak out of the house to get it, right?"

"What for? This house has the amount of alcohol comparable to a liquor store why would I need to sneak out? I got this one from the basement"

"Oh this just gets more and more interesting and what type of shit did you robbed us from?"

"Whiskey" Casey admitted.

"You heard that Remi?" Milo said, smiling.

"I did. The little girl stole Rafael's favorite liquor" Remi was smiling as well.

This is when Casey realized she fucked up.

"But you're going to keep a secret right?" Casey needed to know.

"Sure," they said in unison which didn't inspire confidence.

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Rafael didn't lie. The next day Eliana received a phone call with vague information that the custody hearing is rescheduled for tomorrow. On the same day, she had an unannounced guest arriving at our house early in the morning. She introduced herself as a supervisor of the social worker that was in charge of Casey's case.

"Mrs Vincenti, I'm sorry for showing up unannounced"

"That's not a problem. How can I help you, Mrs Hopkins?"

"The evidence came to light that the social worker responsible for your case might have received financial compensation for conducting negative evaluation" Mrs Hopkins admitted.

Eliana blinked twice. Of course, Harvey would do something like that. How could it not cross her mind before?

"So what's going to happen? Do I have to go through the whole process all over again?"

"This won't be necessary. One of Casey's current teachers can give testimony. We will also interview your spouse and his brothers. Casey's opinion will be the most important thing in this case and it should be enough for a court to decide your capacity as a guardian"

Later that day at the court hearing Eliana received full custody rights over Casey.

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Dear Readers,

I hope you enjoyed today's chapter. I can't wait to see your comments & opinions ❤️