Chapter 12 - THE VERDICTJudge Blackwood read through the evidence.
The medical records.
The recordings.
The cabin footage.
The life insurance policy.
The emails.
Then she looked at Julian.
"I have been a judge for thirty-one years."
Her voice was quiet.
"But I have never seen a case like this."
She continued.
"You endangered your pregnant wife."
"You attempted to manipulate custody."
"You kidnapped your infant daughter."
"You held a loaded weapon against her."
"And evidence suggests you intended to murder your wife."
Julian lowered his head.
The judge turned toward me.
"You protected your daughter through circumstances that would have broken most people."
Then came the words I had waited months to hear.
"Sole legal and physical custody of Lila Mae Hale is awarded to Clara Bennett Hale."
Julian's head snapped upward.
"No."
The judge continued.
"Mr. Vance is stripped of parental rights."
"No!"
Bailiffs grabbed him.
He fought.
Then collapsed.
I didn't smile.
May you like
I simply closed my eyes.
For the first time in months, I could breathe.
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