“Yes, ma’am.”
Marcus said, “Entered where?”
I turned back toward the courtroom.
“On the record.”
That was why we were all standing in front of the bench again.
That was why my ring lay under the table.
That was why Savannah was still smiling too hard.
Because she thought money could make physics uncertain.
She thought if her lawyer found the right phrase, a kick became contact, contact became confusion, confusion became nothing.
She had no idea my father had built an entire career on dragging truth back into rooms where powerful people tried to rename it.
Judge Whitmore looked at Deputy Haskins.
“Deputy, state what you observed.”
Paul stepped forward.
“I observed Ms. Cross obstruct Mrs. Vale’s path near the hallway fountain. Mrs. Vale attempted to move around her. Ms. Cross made deliberate contact with her right foot to Mrs. Vale’s abdomen.”
Savannah’s face went white.
“That’s not true.”
My father’s eyes snapped to her.
She shut up.
Paul continued.
“Mrs. Vale braced herself on the wall. Mr. Vale was present.”
Judge Whitmore looked at Marcus.
“Did you observe contact?”
Marcus stood slowly.
Bennett looked like he wanted to physically pull him back into his chair.
“I observed confusion in a crowded hallway.”
Claire said, “There were six people in the hallway.”
Bennett said, “Your Honor—”
Judge Whitmore raised one hand.
Silence.
Then he looked at me.
“Mrs. Vale, are you now requesting medical assistance?”
My stomach tightened.
Not a contraction.
Not exactly.
But enough.
I knew my body.
I knew this child.
I knew stress had a sound and mine had started humming.
“Yes, Your Honor,” I said. “After I finish making one statement.”
Marcus laughed once.
A mistake.
A bad one.
My father’s gaze moved to him like a door locking.
“Mr. Vale, you will remain silent.”
Marcus’s face reddened.
The courtroom saw it.
The billionaire being told to hush like a boy with mud on his shoes.
Mini-payoff number four.
Small, but delicious.
I stood with Claire’s help.
My voice did not shake.
“Your Honor, I am asking the court to deny Mr. Vale’s relocation request, restrict any disposal or transfer of marital assets, preserve my medical coverage, and order that neither Mr. Vale nor Ms. Cross come within two hundred yards of me or my medical appointments pending further hearing.”
Bennett rose.
“Ms. Cross is not a party.”
