Chapter 4

On the day of the hearing, the courtroom was packed.

There were media reporters, social activists, and all our so-called relatives and friends.

They were all there to see me utterly destroyed.

David arrived with Leo and Chloe.

Leo sat in a wheelchair, his face pale, his arm still in a cast.

Seeing me, Leo's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

"Mommy, please don't divorce Daddy, okay? It's all Leo's fault. Leo won't get sick anymore."

He cried so pitifully, drawing gasps of sympathy from the spectators.

My mother-in-law wailed dramatically, pointing at me and cursing. "You bring nothing but bad luck! A curse on husband and son! What did our family do to deserve a creature like you?"

David held Leo, looking every bit the tragic, good husband.

"Scarlett, even now, are you still going to be so stubborn? For your own sake, are you really going to throw away Leo's future?"

Chloe stood beside him, timely offering a tissue and gently comforting him.

I watched their little family act, my face expressionless.

David's lawyer rose and began to recite my list of "failures."

From forgetting our anniversary gift to not cooking for my mother-in-law's birthday, to my "deliberate refusal to act" when Leo was in the car accident.

Each point painted me as the selfish, heartless villain.

Finally, the lawyer presented a hospital report.

"Your Honor, due to the defendant's delay, the plaintiff's son, Leo, suffered cerebral hypoxia. This could result in permanent neurological damage."

"Furthermore, the defendant has subjected the child to sustained emotional abuse, causing severe psychological harm. We request full custody be granted to Mr. David, and that the defendant be ordered to pay one million dollars in emotional damages."

The judge looked at me, his expression heavy with judgment.

"Defendant, how do you respond to the plaintiff's claims?"

Every eye in the room fixed on me, waiting.

I stood. I didn't look at David, but at Chloe in the witness stand.

"I'd like to ask Ms. Chloe a question."