Full custody.

Financial review.

Nick’s scheme was beginning to collapse.

“Court adjourned,” the bailiff announced.

Chloe walked toward me, my sister staying a step behind.

Ignoring the ache in my side, I lowered myself to my knees and wrapped her in my arms.

“You were incredible,” I whispered.

“I became that way because you did first,” she said softly.

That nearly shattered me more than the betrayal itself.

Outside the courtroom, the hallway hummed with murmurs.

Nick rushed toward us before we reached the exit.

“This isn’t over,” he muttered.

I shifted slightly in front of Chloe. “You heard the judge.”

“You think that video wins you everything?” he shot back. “I’ll appeal.”

“You can try,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

He leaned in closer. “You don’t have the money to fight me.”

“Maybe I don’t,” I answered. “But I have the truth.”

Something in him snapped at that.

“I married you because I wanted a child!” he shouted. “You were so willing, so desperate to build a family. I figured you’d make it easy.”

My stomach churned, but I stood my ground.

“I planned on leaving years ago,” he went on. “But I had to wait. I needed control of the finances first. And then I got sick. When I found out you were a match, I couldn’t risk losing that. So I stuck around longer.”

Each word cut deep.

“You used me,” I said quietly.

“Of course I did!” he barked.

What Nick failed to notice was that Daniel had approached shortly after the confrontation began. He had heard every single word.

Daniel stepped forward calmly. “Nick.”

Nick turned, annoyed. “What?”

Daniel’s demeanor had completely shifted.

“I can’t represent you anymore.”

Nick stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“You deliberately misled this court,” Daniel said evenly. “And you just admitted a lot of things out loud.”

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