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saw her kiss him!” he shouted, his voice echoing in the lemn courtroom. “She knew, and shedssed him anyway!”
Gasps rippled through the mom. My head whipped toward him, my cheeks flushing with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
The judge slammed her gavel down, her voice firm and autheditative. “Mr. Sullivan, If you speak out of tum again, I will hold you incontempt of court.” Alex’s jawtightened, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the edge of the table, not he didn’t say another word, his lips pressed Into a thin line.
The lawyer continued her line of questioning, each one designed to chip away at my credibility. She hinted at impropriety, painting a picture of a woman who was
“Mrs. Sullivan,” she said, her tone dripping with false courtesy, “you’ve been seen with Mr. Carter on multiple occasions outside of work. Would you say these Encounters were strictly professional?”
“Yes,” I replied firmly. “And as I’ve already stated, Tended the relationship as soon as Heamed I was still legally married.”
The questioning continued, her i one laced with innuendo, but Nathan remained calm and focused. He countered every insinuation, redirecting the narrative back to Alex’s negligence and the emotional harm he’d eased.
By the time the jodge called for a recess, I felt like 1’d been through a storm. My nerves were frayed, my mind spinning with everything that had been said Nathan leaned over, his voice low and soothing “Don’t worry,” he said, his tone calm but resolute. “I’ve got this undercontrol, she’s grasping at nodded, grateful for his reassurance, but my chest still felt tight. Alex’s lawyer had planted seeds of doubt in the room, and I couldn’t shake the tear that they might take root.
When the bearing resumed, Nathan’s closing arguments were nothing short of masterful. He reminded the court that Alex had initiated the divorce b to finalize it, causing years of unnecessary pain. He emphasized my right to choose freedom and to protect my children from further harm.
but had failed
The judge listened intently, her expression unreadable. When Nathan finished, Alex’s lawyer attempted to rebut, but her arguments felt weak in comparison The judges back, her fingers steepled as she regarded both parties. “Having reviewed the evidence and heard both sides, I see no reason to prolong this case, the said tidy.
Her gaze settled on Alex “Mr. Sullivan, regardless of the time that has passed, Mrs. Sullivan retains the right to file for divorce. It was your responsibility to finalize the process you initiated. Your failure to do so constitutes abandonment As such, 1am calling in favor of Mrs. Sullivan.”
She continued, her tone unwavering. “Furthermore, I am ordering Mr. Sullivan to pay emotional damages for the undue stress caused, as well as relinquishing partial assets to Mrs. Sullivan”
I raised my hand, my voice steady but resolute. “Your Honor, I don’t want anything from him.”
Nathan turned to me, his eyes questioning, but I modded firmly.
The judge regarded me for a moment before nodding “Very well. Both parties will now sign the documents.”
Alex hesitated as he approached the desk, his hand lingering over the pen. He glanceat me, his expression a mixture of anger and something I couldn’t quite place. But finally, I signed.
“It is done, the judge announced “This court recognizes the divorce of Mr. Alexander Sullivan and Mrs. Raina Graham–Sullivan
Awww of seller crashed over me, and I exhaled shakily, tears streaming down my face. It was over. Fully, it was over,
T
I recalled Nathan’s words about kissing me. Would hur still do it? He was sick he wouldn’t, right?
Dominic wrapped me in a tight hug, his voice filled with relied. “You did it,” he said. “Finally.”
But of course, Alex’s mother wasn’t rady to let go.
“Ungrateful b
I beat!” she snapped, her voice venomous “Our family was good to you, and this is how you repay us?”
Trumed to her, my voice steady but laced with determination. “This in’t over,” I said, my eyes locking with hers. “I’m just getting started. Nathan will be in touch with Alex’s lawyer I want custody of my son
Alex’s face darkened, his vote sharp and defensive. “You lost lust right the second you served me count papers. Don’t forget, Raina–you signed your rights away.”
I didn’t flinch. My gaze didn’t waver. “Maybe you need your head checked, Alex. You signed for shared custody. And now, with this case in writing, I will get Llam away from you
