“Ms. Hayes,” my father said, his deep voice filling the courtroom.
“The plaintiff claims you fabricated a pregnancy to secure your husband’s inheritance. How do you respond?”
I stood slowly, my legs shaking.
“I am pregnant,” I said quietly. “Twenty-four weeks. I have medical records and ultrasound scans.”
Charlotte scoffed loudly.
“Oh please,” she sneered. “We all know that stomach is fake foam you bought online.”
BANG!
My father slammed the gavel.
“Mrs. Harper,” he said sharply, “another interruption and I will remove you from this courtroom.”
Charlotte crossed her arms but said nothing more.
She had no idea the judge she was insulting was also the grandfather of the baby she was accusing me of inventing.
Chapter 3: Chaos
Charlotte’s lawyer began presenting their so-called evidence.
A disgraced doctor claiming I couldn’t conceive.
A private investigator claiming he found receipts for a fake pregnancy device.
It was absurd.
“I already offered to be examined by a court-appointed doctor,” I argued. “Not one hired by them.”
My baby kicked inside me.
Hard.
Maybe he could feel my panic.
Across the room, my father watched everything carefully.
Every insult.
Every lie.
Every cruel word Charlotte threw at me.