Chapter 6 - The Final VerdictJudge Vance adjusted his glasses, sliding the final page of Exhibit C back into its folder. He looked up from the bench, his gaze sweeping across the courtroom before landing squarely on Derek Morrison, who was now trembling visibly in his seat.
"Mr. Morrison," Judge Vance’s voice was like grinding stones. "Do you deny signing this relinquishment of custody and financial responsibility dated three weeks prior to the birth?"
Derek raised his head, his eyes bloodshot and desperate. "I... I was stressed! My lawyer said—it was just a draft! It wasn't official—!"
"It was notarized by an officer of the court, Mr. Morrison," Judge Vance interrupted sharply. "Furthermore, the financial fraud charges detailed in Exhibit A have already been flagged by the District Attorney’s office as of this morning. You are facing up to ten years in federal prison for corporate embezzlement."
Derek’s lawyer slowly packed his leather briefcase, stood up, and took three steps backward away from Derek, completely distancing himself from the sinking ship.
"Therefore," Judge Vance banged his gavel down once, the sound echoing like a gunshot through the room, "the emergency petition to contest the birth certificate is denied with prejudice. The legal and biological guardianship of Chloe Moretti remains exclusively and permanently vested in Mr. Luca Moretti and Ms. Emma Cole. Case dismissed."
The gavel fell a second time.
"Court is adjourned."
Before Derek could even open his mouth to scream or protest, two bailiffs stepped out from the side doors, walked directly up to his table, and slapped a pair of gleaming steel handcuffs onto his wrists.
"Derek Morrison, you are under arrest for grand larceny, financial fraud, and embezzlement," the lead bailiff announced loudly.
"No! Wait! Emma! Emma, please!" Derek shrieked, kicking his chair backward as the bailiffs dragged him toward the side exit, his expensive suit dragging across the floor. "Emma, we loved each other! Don't let him do this! Emma!"
I didn't even turn around. I sat completely still, my hands resting calmly on the polished wooden table, watching the doors close behind him.
The coward who had left me humiliated in the hospital hallway was finally getting a taste of his own medicine. And he had dug his own grave.
As the courtroom slowly emptied, Luca turned to me, offering a hand to help me stand.
"Satisfied?" he asked quietly, a faint, approving smile playing on his lips.
I took his hand, standing up and smoothing my jacket. I looked up into his intense, slate-gray eyes, feeling a strange, intoxicating warmth bloom in my chest—something that felt dangerously close to real affection.
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"Satisfied?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Mr. Moretti, that was an absolute masterpiece."
"Call me Luca," he murmured, stepping just a fraction closer. "After all, we're partners."
