Part 2
The hearing moved quickly after that.
Julian’s lawyer stood firm and confident. – Your Honor, sir. Vance has maintained stable employment, a suitable home and a strong support system. Mrs. Vance, meanwhile, has no current income, no lawyer, and a pattern of erratic behavior.”
“Erratic?” I repeated softly.
He smiled. “We have witness statements.”
Evelyn got up like she’d been waiting for her curtain call. “She yelled at my son in front of the child. She broke the plates. He locked himself in the bathroom for hours.”
“That was after Julian changed the locks in our bedroom,” I said.
Julian shook his head with sadness. – Clara, please. Don’t do this here.”
There she was. The performance. The wounded husband. The holy patient.
Chloe leaned forward and whispered something to her. He squeezed his hand under the table, but not low enough.
I saw it.
That’s what the judge did.
“Ma’am. Vance, Judge Thorne asked, “do you have evidence to answer these claims?”
“Yes, Your Honor. Bank records. Corporate accounting books. Messages that show coordination between my husband and her mother.”
Julian’s face hardened.
Your lawyer objected even before opening my folder. “They didn’t properly deliver us with those documents.”
I looked at him. “You were served electronically last Friday at 4:12 p.m. His assistant confirmed the receipt at 4:19.”
The lawyer blinked.
I slipped the printed confirmation by the table.
For the first time, Julian stopped smiling.
Judge Thorne read the page. “The objection annulled. Continue.”
I presented the transfers calmly. Seventy-two thousand dollars moved to an account under Evelyn’s maiden name. Fake payments from suppliers to Chloe’s brother. A loan application that Julian signed claiming he had no dependents. A private apartment lease paid with matrimonial funds.
The courtroom cooled with each page.
Still, Julian recovered quickly. Arrogance was his second language.
“The numbers can be misunderstood,” he said. “Clara always twists things. That’s exactly why Maya needs stability with me.”
In the mention of her name, Maya shuddered.
The judge noticed. “I would like to hear from the child advocate.”
Before the lawyer could stand up, Maya raised her little hand.
The room stayed still.
Judge Thorne softened her voice. “Yes, honey?”
Maya swallowed. His eyes were shining, but his voice was clear.
“Can I show you something Mom doesn’t know, Your Honor?”
My breath stopped.
Julian turned white.
“Maya,” he broke.
Judge Thorne’s gaze was cut off from him. – Lord. Vance. One more interruption, and you will be eliminated.”
Maya got into her cardigan pocket and pulled out a small purple phone. It was his old gaming phone, the one Julian had bought him to watch cartoons during his weekends.
“I recorded it,” he whispered. “Because Dad said no one believes in little kids.”
The judge nodded. “You might show me.
When the video began, the entire courtroom quietly froze.
