Chapter 7 - The Gavel Falls
Derek was shaking so violently his knees banged against the wooden defense table. ""Your Honor, please... Claire is exaggerating everything! She trapped me! She’s been plotting this for months!""
""Be quiet, Mr. Donnelly, before I hold you in summary contempt,"" Judge Vance warned, her eyes burning with fury.
She picked up her pen and began signing orders at a blistering speed.
""Regarding temporary custody of Nora Donnelly: Sole legal and primary physical custody is awarded immediately and exclusively to the mother, Claire Donnelly. Mr. Derek Donnelly is granted zero visitation rights pending a comprehensive psychological evaluation and the completion of court-mandated parenting classes. Furthermore, a temporary restraining order is hereby issued against Mr. Donnelly, prohibiting him from coming within one thousand feet of Mrs. Donnelly, minor child Nora, or Mrs. Elaine Donnelly, as well as their residence and school.""
Derek let out a choked sob, clutching his head in his hands.
""Regarding the financial claims,"" Judge Vance continued relentlessly. ""Mr. Donnelly's petition for spousal support is denied with prejudice. His request for rights in the Magnolia Drive estate is denied. Furthermore, all individual bank accounts, investment portfolios, and shell corporate entities associated with Derek Donnelly and Kyle Donnelly are hereby frozen immediately. Mrs. Donnelly’s legal team is granted full discovery authority to trace and recover the four hundred and seventy-two thousand dollars in embezzled corporate funds. If full restitution is not arranged within sixty days, I will refer this matter directly to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution for grand larceny and wire fraud.""
Judge Vance looked over the top of her glasses straight into Derek's tear-streaked face.
""And finally, Mr. Donnelly: You are ordered to pay all legal fees incurred by Mrs. Donnelly in defending this frivolous, bad-faith petition, totaling forty-two thousand dollars, due within thirty days. Court is adjourned.""
The heavy crack of the gavel sounded like the slamming of a prison door.
Judge Vance rose and disappeared into her chambers.
Derek slumped forward onto the mahogany desk, weeping openly, his shoulders shaking with pitiful, unbridled grief. His slick attorney, Richard Henderson, didn't even offer a pat on the back; he shoved his papers into his briefcase, glared at Derek in disgust, muttered something about an unpaid bill, and stormed out of the courtroom without looking back.
I stood up, smoothing the front of my jacket. I didn't feel a triumphant rush of cruel laughter; I felt only the deep, profound cleansing of an unbearable weight being lifted from my chest.
As I walked toward the exit aisle, Derek lifted his red, swollen face. ""Claire... please... you can't leave me with nothing. I have nowhere to go. Chloe kicked me out this morning when the corporate credit cards bounced. My mom has to move in with my aunt in Alabama because she can't afford rent. I’m broke, Claire. I’m your husband!""
May you like
I paused at the wooden swinging gate, looking down at the broken shell of the man who had thought he could exploit my mother’s gentle heart.
""You're not my husband anymore, Derek,"" I said, my voice steady, serene, and cold as stone. ""You're just a stranger who learned that everything in this life has a price. And your bill is finally due.""
