Chapter 208: Heartache
Fiona's voice was calm—she was merely recounting memories. But her words moved everyone in the courtroom. It wasn't hard to imagine how helpless and hopeless a six-year-old girl must have felt in that situation.
"..."
Lip and Ian sat in silence, listening to Fiona's testimony. They had no memory of those events.
At that time, Fiona had only been six. Lip and Ian were even younger—barely three or four years old, about the same age Liam is now. Naturally, they couldn't remember anything.
Ordinarily, no one would expect a six-year-old to retain such vivid memories. Most six-year-olds are in kindergarten, living carefree lives.
But what Fiona experienced was unforgettable. The trauma had seared itself into her mind.
So, when the judge asked why her parents were unfit to be guardians, this was the first memory that surfaced.
"Although my father, Frank, was a drunk and an addict—he was selfish, contributed nothing, never offered money or help—he never actually left us," she said.
"When my father was diagnosed with cancer, he changed. He began to take on responsibility, started caring about the kids' lives, and paid attention to Carl and Debbie's schooling."
"After he went missing, he left behind a will that showed he cared about each of us. He even left us a significant inheritance—including two houses under my name."
"He may not have been a good father before, but in the end, he fulfilled his duty as a parent."
"But after Frank disappeared, Monica came back—not to take care of us, but simply to take Liam, my youngest brother, away."
"She never acted like a mother. Carl barely remembers her. Liam met her for the first time in his life only recently. She can't just show up and treat our family like a pet store—picking a child and walking away."
"I've done my best to raise my siblings. I wish I could do more. I'm not trying to earn sympathy or admiration. I just want these kids to have what they deserve."
"They're good kids. They deserve better lives and futures. They shouldn't have to pay the price for having lousy parents."
Fiona's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes glistening with tears. Her words were raw and real.
Beside her, attorneys Matt and Foggy sat with heavy hearts, visibly affected.
Bang! Bang!
The judge tapped his gavel twice.
"Come with me to chambers," he said, rising to his feet.
"I'll join her," Matt said to Foggy. He stood and followed Fiona into the judge's private chambers.
Inside, it was just the judge, Fiona, and Matt.
"I know you didn't say all of that to impress me," the judge said, "but I have to say—I admire you. Your siblings are incredibly lucky to have a sister like you."
"I just want to bring them home," Fiona replied, regaining her composure.
"Looking at all the evidence, it's clear your mother is a ticking time bomb—her behavior makes her unfit to raise children."
"My task is to figure out what's best for those kids. And right now, I'm leaning toward appointing you as their legal guardian. That would give you the legal authority to make decisions for them."
"As a guardian," Matt added, "you would have full legal rights concerning their care."
"I understand," Fiona nodded.
"Wait," the judge interjected.
"I said I'm considering it. Are you really sure?" he asked, sitting beside her.
"If you take on guardianship, it's not just about rights—it's about responsibility. These children will become your whole life."
"They already are. Honestly, they have been for years," Fiona said. She had taken on the family's burdens long before reaching adulthood.
"Are you truly ready to be responsible for them until they turn eighteen?"
"You have a brother who's only two. That means you'll be doing this for another sixteen years."
"If it's what's best for them, then yes," Fiona said simply.
"And what about you?" the judge pressed. "What do you get out of this?"
"I have a daughter," he continued. "When she was your age, she was in college, traveling around the country. It was the happiest, freest time of her life."
"If you take custody, there's no going back."
"Your siblings will always come first. Even if someday you want your own life—if you get married and start your own family—you'll still be legally obligated to care for your siblings."
"I deeply respect your love and sacrifice for them. But I would never want this path for my own daughter."
"This isn't just about custody—it's about the rest of your life."
This was not a complicated case. A glance at Monica's record was enough to prove she was unfit. Stripping her of custody was a foregone conclusion.
The real issue was what came next.
With no legal guardian, the children would be taken by the Department of Family Services and split into different foster homes.
If they wanted to stay together, they needed one person to legally represent them. And Fiona was the only one who qualified.
But that would mean her life would no longer be her own.
The judge truly liked Fiona. She reminded him of his own daughter. He felt for her—deeply. Which made his decision even harder.
"Thank you," Fiona said quietly. "I've thought about this a lot. And honestly, I've heard the same things from other people."
Jimmy had said it. Frank had said it too—many times.
But given the situation, what other choice did she have?
To keep the family together and bring the kids home, she was willing to sacrifice her future.
After the discussion, the judge, Fiona, and Matt returned to the courtroom.
"I hereby revoke Mrs. Gallagher's custody rights. Liam will return to his rightful family," the judge declared.
"Your Honor—" Roberta stood up, trying to interject.
"Silence!" the judge barked, striking his gavel.
(End of Chapter)
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