Chapter 6 - Julian’s House Of Glass
The sound of the thick paper tearing was like a gunshot in the silent room. Judge Norris dropped the two halves of the document into her wastebasket.
“The settlement agreement previously proffered to this court is declared null, void, and tainted by monumental fraud upon this court,” Judge Norris proclaimed.
Julian’s attorney, Henderson, quietly packed his legal pads into his leather briefcase, stepped two paces back from Julian’s chair, and bowed his head. Even his own counsel had abandoned him; defending fraud was one thing, but being implicated in subornation of perjury was a career-ending disaster.
“Your Honor,” David Ramos said, stepping forward with renewed vigor. “In light of the criminal enterprise revealed today, my client moves for an immediate emergency order granting Audrey Vance sole legal and physical custody of both the unborn child and Master Leo Vance.”
Julian’s head snapped up. “No! You can’t take my son! Audrey isn't his biological mother! His mother is dead! She has no legal claim to him!”
“Mr. Vance,” Judge Norris said, her voice dripping with disdain, “under the Missouri revised statutes, a step-parent who has stood in loco parentis for more than five continuous years, in the event of gross parental unfitness, abuse, and felony endangerment, holds standing to seek full custody. You locked a six-year-old child in a dark room. You permitted your paramour to terrorize him. You attempted to use him as an accessory to hide digital evidence of federal crimes.”
She signed an emergency custody order with a flourish of her fountain pen.
“Effective immediately, Julian Vance’s parental rights regarding Leo Vance are suspended pending a full termination hearing. Full temporary physical and legal custody is awarded to Audrey Vance.”
Leo let out a quiet breath and buried his face in my skirt. I pulled him close, kissing the top of his head, feeling the warmth of his small body against mine. For the first time in eight months, the suffocating weight in my chest lifted.
“Furthermore,” Judge Norris continued, “all marital assets, corporate accounts, personal real estate, and liquid holdings belonging to Julian Vance are hereby frozen under court injunction, with Audrey Vance appointed as the sole receiver to maintain business operations and family welfare.”
“You’re leaving me with nothing?” Julian croaked, his voice cracking like dry timber. “Everything I built... everything I worked for...”
“You didn't build it, Mr. Vance,” Judge Norris said mercilessly. “The records produced from that flash drive show that Audrey Vance provided the initial capital, secured the primary commercial logistics contracts, and ran operations while you spent the company’s treasury on luxury penthouses and sports cars for your mistress.”
Detective Sloane stepped forward, holding a set of steel handcuffs.
“Julian Vance, Clara Sterling, you are both under arrest for federal wire fraud, identity theft, tax evasion, and felony child endangerment.”
The metallic click of the handcuffs ratcheting around Julian’s wrists echoed off the marble walls. His bespoke suit looked ridiculous now, wrinkled and ruined. As the deputies pulled him to his feet, he looked at me. His eyes were wide, pleading, pathetic.
“Audrey,” he whispered, his lip trembling just as Leo’s had earlier. “Please. Think about our family. Don't let them take me away. I made a mistake. We can fix this.”
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I stood up, holding my son’s hand tightly in my left hand, while my right hand rested gently on the daughter who would never have to know his cruelty.
“You already took everything that mattered, Julian,” I said softly, echoing the words I had spoken hours before. “Except now, I’m taking it back.”
