My mother-in-law dragged me to court, claiming I was pretending to be pregnant so I could steal my late husband’s inheritance. Then, in the middle of the courtroom, she ᴋ!ᴄᴋᴇᴅ my stomach to “prove” I was lying. What she didn’t realize was that the judge watching everything… was my father.

And I never looked back.

Until now.

Chapter 2: The Judge

The courtroom door opened.

Judge Robert Hayes stepped inside wearing his black robe.

He looked older than I remembered.

His hair had turned completely silver, and deep lines marked his face from years of difficult decisions.

But his eyes were the same.

Sharp. Cold. Impossible to lie to.

He sat down and began reviewing the documents before him.

Then the clerk read the case.

“Case number 5174 — Harper Estate versus Clara Hayes.”

My father froze.

Slowly, he lifted his head.

His eyes landed on me.

Recognition flashed across his face.

For a split second the mask of a judge slipped.

Shock.

Then his gaze moved downward.

To my pregnant stomach.

Something flickered across his face — something painful.

But just as quickly it disappeared.

The judge returned.

Charlotte leaned toward her lawyer, unaware of the silent earthquake happening across the courtroom.

“Look at him,” she whispered smugly. “Even the judge can tell she’s faking.”

I lowered my head, my hands trembling.

He hates me.

He remembers how I left.