Hell Hath no fury like a billionaire's Ex-Chapter 131: Conflicted Hearts

Diane’s POV

The phone rang just as I was settling Danielle down for her afternoon nap. Joan’s name flashed on the screen, and I felt my stomach tighten with anticipation today was the day of the conference with the judge, after we got a feedback from the court a week ago.

"How did it go?" I asked without preamble, balancing the phone against my ear while gently rocking my daughter.

"The court conference is over," Joan’s voice came through, steady but tired. "I’m coming to stay over for sometime if that’s okay. We need to talk about what happened."

Relief flooded through me. Having Joan here would make everything feel more manageable. "Of course," I replied without hesitation. "Joan, could you please bring my remaining things?

There was a pause before she asked, "Diane, would you mind if I also brought those gifts Liam got for the kids?"

I hesitated, my hand tightening around the phone. The rational part of me wanted to refuse, to reject anything that came from Liam. But despite everything, despite my fear and anger, Dylan and Danielle were still his children.

"Yes," I said finally. "Yes, bring them. They’re still his children, and I’m not going to restrict him from buying gifts for them."

Less than an hour later, I heard Joan’s car pulling into the driveway. My heart lifted immediately—I’d missed her so much. Before she could even reach the front door, I was running outside, careful not to jostle Danielle who was sleeping in my arms.

"Joan!" I called out, unable to contain my excitement.

She turned from her car with a warm smile, and I practically threw my free arm around her in an awkward but heartfelt hug.

"We’ve missed you so much," I said, breathing in her familiar perfume. "It hasn’t been the same without you."

Joan pulled several bags from her car, and I could see loads of boxes and other items in the backseat—Liam’s gifts. Together, we carried everything into the house, storing the gifts in the downstairs storage room. As we walked back inside, I gave Joan a playful shove with my elbow.

"You’re seriously glowing," I teased, grinning at her. "Henry is definitely doing something right."

Joan blushed, laughing as she swatted at me. "Stop it! You’re terrible."

"I’m just saying—love looks good on you."

We settled into the living room, and Joan’s expression grew serious. "Diane, I need to tell you what happened today. The court has adjourned the final hearing."

My stomach dropped. "What does that mean?"

"It means they’re coming here for home visits and evaluations before making their final decision. They want to see your living situation, how you’re caring for the children, your support system—everything."

I nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief mixed with determination. "I’m ready for that. I have nothing to hide or pretend about, unlike my ex-husband who refuses to change and keeps hiding behind false pretenses."

Joan studied my face carefully. "How are you feeling about all of this? Really?"

I was quiet for a long moment, adjusting Danielle in my arms as I tried to sort through the tangle of emotions in my chest. "I feel pity for him, Joan. I really do. When I see the life he’s living now, the person he’s becoming... it breaks my heart in a way I didn’t expect."

"But?" Joan prompted gently.

"But I’m scared of him too," I admitted, my voice dropping to almost a whisper. "Even during that dinner we had, I could see the change in him. There’s something different, something darker. I’m terrified that he might try to use the children as a way to get back into my life, to hurt me again. And I can’t... I won’t break Noah’s heart by inviting Liam back into our lives."

Joan reached over and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Those are valid fears, Diane."

"I know Liam is their father," I continued, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "And part of me thinks maybe I should let him meet them, at least once. But after everything that’s happened, I don’t trust him enough. Maybe I’ll change my mind about letting him see his children, but not until the law catches up with him for everything he’s done."

Joan nodded understandingly, and I felt compelled to show her everything Anthony had revealed. I pulled out my phone and began scrolling through the videos.

"Joan, there’s something else you need to see. My father...he orchestrated Anthony being Liam’s bodyguard. He planted him there to monitor Liam’s every move."

Joan’s eyes widened as I showed her the footage...Liam’s violent outbursts, his drinking, the break-in, everything. With each video, her expression grew more concerned.

"This is serious evidence," she said quietly.

"I know. It’s just... seeing him like this...so broken and out of control...it’s hard to reconcile with the man I once loved."

"Have you shown Noah this?" Joan asked, concern etched on her face.

"Of course I have. He’s worried about him too, despite how things turned out between them."

Before Joan could respond, Mom appeared in the doorway carrying a tray with freshly squeezed orange juice. "I thought you girls might be thirsty," she said with a warm smile.

"Thank you so much, Helena" Joan said gratefully, accepting a glass. "This is exactly what I needed."

We were just settling into deeper conversation when Sophie bounded into the room, her face lit up with a triumphant grin. "Mission accomplished!" she announced dramatically. "Both babies are officially down for their naps."

But then she immediately let her shoulders sag and put the back of her hand to her forehead in an exaggerated gesture of exhaustion. "And I am about to collapse from the sheer effort of being the world’s best aunt."

All three of us burst into laughter. "You’re such a drama queen," I said, shaking my head.

"But seriously," Mom added, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, "you really are doing this aunt thing well, despite being such a sass queen."

"I prefer lady boss," Sophie corrected with mock dignity, which only made us laugh harder.

For a moment, sitting there with Joan, Mom, and Sophie, surrounded by laughter and love, I felt like everything might actually be okay.

----

Three days later, just as the court had promised that they would come any moment before the final hearing, they arrived for the home inspection. Mom had gone to spend the day with Dad...he’d arranged a special dinner for just the two of them, wanting to give her a break from grandmother duties before she returned.

Only Sophie and Joan were with me when the officials knocked on the door.

My heart was pounding as I opened it to find two women in professional attire, carrying clipboards and official-looking badges.

"Ms. Evans?" the older woman asked. "I’m Mrs. Davidson from Child Protective Services, and this is my colleague, Ms. Rodriguez. We’re here for the court-ordered home evaluation."

"Of course," I said, stepping aside to let them in. "Please, come in."

They spent the next hour methodically going through every room of the house, taking notes on everything from the cleanliness of the kitchen to the safety measures around the pool.

They examined the nursery with particular attention, checking the cribs, the changing station, the temperature control, even the security of the windows.

Throughout the inspection, I found myself watching their faces, trying to read their expressions. They remained professionally neutral, giving away nothing of what they thought about what they were seeing.

Sophie and Joan stayed nearby but gave the officials space to do their work. I answered every question they asked...about my daily routine with the twins, my support system, my living arrangements, my relationship with Noah

As they prepared to leave, Ms. Rodriguez who had been examining the nursery most closely paused at the front door. For the first time since they’d arrived, her professional mask slipped slightly.

"The nursery," she said quietly, "it’s beautifully arranged. Very thoughtful."

It was just a small compliment, barely more than a whisper, but it felt like a huge victory. I managed to thank her without my voice shaking, though inside I was practically glowing with relief and pride.

After they left, I sank onto the couch, emotionally drained. Joan sat beside me, rubbing my back gently.

"You did great," she said softly. "They could see how much you love those babies."

"I hope it’s enough," I whispered. "I hope the court can see that this is where Dylan and Danielle belong...in a home filled with love and stability, not with a man who’s falling apart."

Sophie brought me a cup of tea and curled up on my other side. "It will be enough," she said firmly. "Anyone can see you’re an amazing mother."

But as I sat there between my sister and my best friend, I couldn’t shake the image of Liam from my mind..not the violent, unstable man from the videos, but the man I’d once loved, the man who was now so broken that he was buying carloads of gifts just to try to see his children.

My heart ached for him even as it recoiled from him. And that contradiction...that simultaneous pity and fear...was perhaps the most painful part of all.

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