Chapter 7
Tiffany walked into court wearing white.
Of course she did.
White dress.
White heels.
Soft curls.
A trembling mouth.
She looked like a wounded bride from a magazine cover.
I wore a simple blue dress because it was the only one that fit after delivery.
Liam stayed home with Maya and my father.
I refused to bring my newborn into a room filled with people trying to turn him into property.
Tiffany’s attorney stood first.
“My client was humiliated at her wedding by a calculated phone call designed to destabilize Mr. Blakewell and extract financial advantage.”
I almost laughed.
Ryan looked like he might be sick.
The attorney continued.
“Ms. Carter concealed the pregnancy for months and revealed the child at the exact moment most likely to cause emotional and reputational harm.”
Claire rose calmly.
“Your Honor, we have call logs showing Mr. Blakewell initiated the call.”
The judge looked over his glasses.
“Is that true?”
Tiffany’s attorney hesitated.
“Yes, but—”
Claire placed transcripts on the table.
“During that call, Mr. Blakewell asked Ms. Carter to beg him not to marry Ms. Blake. Ms. Carter answered calmly. The newborn cried. That is how the information was revealed.”
The judge looked at Ryan.
“Mr. Blakewell?”
Ryan stood.
“It’s true.”
Tiffany turned sharply.
“Ryan.”
He did not look at her.
“I called Sarah to hurt her. She did not call me.”
That admission cost him.
I saw it in his face.
The judge nodded.
Claire moved forward.
“We also have evidence that Ms. Blake accessed Mr. Blakewell’s phone account, blocked Ms. Carter, sent false communications, and coordinated with Mrs. Eleanor Blakewell to prevent contact.”
Tiffany’s perfect wounded face cracked.
“That is a lie.”
Claire pressed play.
Tiffany’s voice filled the courtroom.
If you are with that woman, remember what happens if your father sees the trust documents.
Tiffany went pale.
Then Claire showed the login records.
The forged emails.
The restricted building notice.
The fake messages sent to me from Ryan’s account.
By the time she finished, Tiffany was no longer crying.
She was glaring.
The judge denied her petition in full.
Then he ordered an investigation into fraud, harassment, and witness intimidation.
Tiffany stood.
“This is ridiculous.”
The judge’s voice sharpened.
“Sit down, Ms. Blake.”
She sat.
But her eyes stayed on me.
Cold.
Hateful.
Promising more.
Outside court, reporters waited.
Someone had leaked the hearing.
Tiffany’s family, probably.
I kept my head down.
Ryan stepped in front of me.
For once, he used his body as a shield instead of a weapon.
A reporter shouted, “Mr. Blakewell, did you abandon your son?”
Ryan stopped.
I wanted him to keep walking.
He turned.
“Yes,” he said.
The crowd quieted.
“I abandoned Sarah when I believed lies that suited my pride. I humiliated her. I failed her during pregnancy. My son is innocent. She is innocent. Any blame belongs with me and the people who kept us apart.”
Cameras flashed.
Tiffany screamed from behind us.
“You pathetic coward!”
Ryan did not turn around.
In the car, I stared out the window.
“That was unexpected,” I said.
Ryan nodded.
“I should have said it sooner.”
“Yes.”
He swallowed.
“I know.”
Silence stretched.
Then my phone rang.
Maya.
I answered quickly.
“Is Liam okay?”
“He’s fine,” she said.
“But Sarah… someone just tried to get into Dad’s backyard.”
My blood turned cold.
“What?”
“Dad chased them off. They dropped something.”
“What?”
Maya’s voice shook.
“A baby blanket. Blue. With Liam’s name embroidered on it.”
I gripped the phone.
May you like
Tiffany had lost in court.
So now she wanted fear.
