Chapter 9 - The Hearing
The custody hearing filled the courthouse.
Reporters crowded the hallway.
Victoria arrived dressed in pale blue.
She looked innocent.
Grace entered in handcuffs.
Lily was nowhere to be seen.
Nathan stood beside Grace.
The judge reviewed the fabricated evidence.
“Mr. Cole, do you acknowledge these documents?”
“No.”
“They bear your signature.”
“They are forged.”
Victoria's attorney smiled.
“And your fiancée?”
Nathan looked at Victoria.
“I no longer have a fiancée.”
The courtroom erupted.
Victoria's face collapsed.
Nathan continued.
“I have a daughter.”
He turned toward the judge.
“And someone tried to erase her mother.”
Grace stared at him.
The judge demanded evidence.
Daniel stood.
“We have it.”
He submitted the recordings.
The forged custody documents.
The financial transfers.
The security footage.
The room went silent.
Victoria's attorney objected.
But the evidence was overwhelming.
Then Daniel played the recording of Victoria ordering the attack.
Victoria stood.
“That isn't me.”
The audio continued.
Her voice was unmistakable.
Grace began crying.
Not from fear.
From relief.
The judge ordered an investigation.
Victoria was escorted away.
But as she passed Nathan, she whispered,
“You think you've won.”
Nathan looked at her.
“No.”
May you like
“I've only started.”
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