C''' 🚨 Breaking: Anthony Sends Court Notice to Shayla Over Kai’s Custody Battle 😱 Full Notice Below 👇

🚨 Breaking: Anthony Sends Court Notice to Shayla Over Kai’s Custody Battle 😱

Scene: Shayla’s apartment, early evening. Her phone buzzes — a message from Anthony’s lawyer.

Shayla: (reading aloud) “Notice of Custody Hearing — Anthony Bennett vs. Shayla Carter, regarding minor child Kai Bennett.”
What? He actually went through with it?

(She calls her best friend, Tiana.)

Tiana: Hey girl, what’s wrong? You sound like you just saw a ghost.

Shayla: Tiana… Anthony filed for custody. I just got served the papers.

Tiana: Wait, what? Are you serious? After everything?

Shayla: Yeah. A whole notice from his lawyer. Says the hearing’s in three weeks.

Tiana: Oh my God. How’s Kai gonna handle this?

Shayla: I don’t even know. I’ve tried keeping things calm for his sake. But Anthony’s been acting so cold lately — like he’s trying to paint me as the bad guy.

Tiana: You knew he was upset about the move, though.

Shayla: Yeah, but filing for custody? That’s different. I just wanted to transfer Kai to a better school district.

(Her phone buzzes again — it’s Anthony.)

Anthony (text): “I didn’t want to do this, Shayla. But you left me no choice.”

Shayla (typing back): “No choice? You could’ve just talked to me, Anthony.”

Anthony: “I did try. You ignored me for weeks and made decisions about Kai without me.”

Shayla: “I didn’t ignore you. I was trying to protect Kai from the constant fighting. You were the one who kept bailing on visits!”

Anthony: “Because every time I came over, it turned into an argument. You know I love my son. I’m tired of being a weekend parent.”

Shayla: “Then show up when you say you will. Don’t take me to court to prove a point.”

Anthony: “This isn’t about proving a point. It’s about stability. Kai needs both of us — not just when it’s convenient for you.”

(A long pause. Shayla doesn’t reply right away.)

Tiana: What did he say?

Shayla: That it’s about “stability.” Like dragging me through court will make Kai feel stable.

Tiana: Girl, you need a lawyer. Fast.

Shayla: I know. But I’m scared, Tiana. I don’t want Kai growing up thinking we hate each other.

Tiana: You’ve always put Kai first. The court will see that.

(Meanwhile, Anthony’s on the phone with his sister, Maya.)

Maya: Anthony, are you sure this is what you want? Custody battles get ugly.

Anthony: I’m not doing this to be ugly. I’m doing it because I’m tired of missing milestones. Shayla keeps me out of decisions like I’m just a visitor in my son’s life.

Maya: But court? That’s a big step.

Anthony: I tried talking. I tried compromise. She moved him across town without even telling me until after.

Maya: Maybe you two should try mediation before it goes to trial.

Anthony: I suggested that. She said it was “too late.”

Maya: I just hope Kai doesn’t get caught in the middle.

Anthony: He already is. That’s what I’m trying to fix.

---

Later that night — Shayla tucks Kai into bed.

Kai: Mommy, are you and Daddy mad again?

Shayla: (softly) No, baby. We’re just trying to figure some grown-up stuff out.

Kai: Is it because I said I wanted to stay at Daddy’s house longer?

Shayla: (holding back tears) No, sweetheart. You can love both Mommy and Daddy. That’s okay.

(Kai nods sleepily. Shayla turns off the light, sits in silence, the weight of everything pressing down.)

Part 2: The Hearing Approaches

Scene: A week later — Family Court Lobby

(Shayla sits on a bench, clutching a folder of papers. Tiana’s beside her, whispering words of encouragement. Across the room, Anthony stands with his lawyer, glancing at Shayla but not approaching.)

Tiana: You okay?

Shayla: My stomach’s in knots. I can’t believe it’s come to this.

Tiana: Just breathe. The judge will see what kind of mother you are.

(Shayla nods, watching Anthony laugh quietly with his lawyer. She feels a mix of hurt and anger.)

Shayla (under her breath): He looks so calm. Like this isn’t tearing everything apart.

Tiana: Sometimes calm is just a mask.

---

Scene: Inside the Courtroom

Judge Ramirez: Good morning. We’re here for the custody hearing regarding minor child, Kai Bennett. Both parents present?

Anthony’s Lawyer: Yes, Your Honor. Anthony Bennett for the petitioner.

Shayla: (quietly) Shayla Carter, responding.

Judge Ramirez: Thank you. Let’s begin.

(Anthony’s lawyer stands.)

Anthony’s Lawyer: Your Honor, my client seeks shared custody. The mother has made unilateral decisions regarding the child’s schooling and residence. Mr. Bennett only wants to be equally involved in his son’s upbringing.

(Shayla frowns, scribbling notes. Her lawyer, Ms. Greene, stands next.)

Ms. Greene: Your Honor, Ms. Carter has always acted in Kai’s best interest. She provided stability, consistent education, and a safe home. Mr. Bennett’s involvement has been sporadic at best.

(Anthony tenses, glancing toward Shayla.)

Anthony (whispering to his lawyer): That’s not true.

Judge Ramirez: We’ll hear from both parents directly. Mr. Bennett, please approach.

(Anthony walks to the stand, composed but visibly emotional.)

Anthony: Your Honor, I love my son. I don’t want to take him away from his mother — I just want to be part of his life. Lately, I feel like every decision about Kai happens without me. His new school, his doctor, even holidays… I find out after the fact.

Judge Ramirez: Ms. Carter, would you like to respond?

(Shayla steps up, hands trembling slightly.)

Shayla: I didn’t mean to exclude Anthony. But he’s missed birthdays, school events, parent-teacher conferences. I stopped waiting for him to show up because Kai kept asking, “Where’s Daddy?” and I didn’t have an answer.

(The courtroom goes silent for a moment.)

Judge Ramirez: Thank you, both. I can see this is a deeply emotional situation. Before we proceed to testimonies, I want to recommend mediation. You’re both clearly loving parents — but court should be a last resort.

(Anthony glances at Shayla, eyes softening for the first time in weeks.)

---

Scene: Hallway Outside the Courtroom

(They step out during a recess. The tension finally breaks.)

Anthony: I didn’t want it to get this far.

Shayla: Then why file, Anthony? You could’ve called.

Anthony: I tried calling. You kept shutting me out.

Shayla: Because every conversation turned into a fight. You think I wanted this? You think I wanted our son to watch us fall apart?

Anthony: I’m just tired of being the bad guy, Shayla. Tired of missing out on everything that matters.

Shayla: You missed things because you chose to.

Anthony: (snapping) That’s not fair! I was working overtime just to pay support and still have something left for Kai. I was trying to build a future for him — not just show up with gifts.

(Shayla’s expression softens, guilt flickering across her face.)

Shayla: I didn’t know you were working that much…

Anthony: Because you never asked.

(A long pause. They both look exhausted — more sad than angry.)

Shayla: So what happens now?

Anthony: I guess… we try mediation like the judge said.

Shayla: For Kai’s sake, I’ll do it.

(They stand silently for a moment, watching families pass through the courthouse lobby. Despite everything, there’s still a trace of what used to be — love buried under all the resentment.)

---

Later That Night — Shayla’s Apartment

(She sits on Kai’s bed as he sleeps, brushing his hair from his forehead.)

Shayla (whispering): I promise, baby… we’ll figure this out. Mommy and Daddy just need time.

(Her phone buzzes. A message from Anthony.)

Anthony (text): “Thank you… for agreeing to mediation. I know it’s been rough. I just want what’s best for Kai.”

Shayla (text): “Me too. Let’s stop fighting and start fixing this.”

(She puts the phone down and finally exhales — maybe for the first time in weeks.)

                                                    [SCENE END]