The courtroom door opened.
Judge Robert Hayes stepped inside wearing his black robe.
He looked older than I remembered.
His hair had turned completely silver, and deep lines marked his face from years of difficult decisions.
But his eyes were the same.
Sharp. Cold. Impossible to lie to.
He sat down and began reviewing the documents before him.
Then the clerk read the case.
“Case number 5174 — Harper Estate versus Clara Hayes.”
My father froze.
Slowly, he lifted his head.
His eyes landed on me.
Recognition flashed across his face.
For a split second the mask of a judge slipped.
Shock.
Then his gaze moved downward.
To my pregnant stomach.
Something flickered across his face — something painful.
But just as quickly it disappeared.
The judge returned.
Charlotte leaned toward her lawyer, unaware of the silent earthquake happening across the courtroom.
“Look at him,” she whispered smugly. “Even the judge can tell she’s faking.”
I lowered my head, my hands trembling.
He hates me.
He remembers how I left.
“Ms. Hayes,” my father said, his deep voice filling the courtroom.
“The plaintiff claims you fabricated a pregnancy to secure your husband’s inheritance. How do you respond?”
I stood slowly, my legs shaking.
“I am pregnant,” I said quietly. “Twenty-four weeks. I have medical records and ultrasound scans.”
Charlotte scoffed loudly.
“Oh please,” she sneered. “We all know that stomach is fake foam you bought online.”
BANG!
My father slammed the gavel.
“Mrs. Harper,” he said sharply, “another interruption and I will remove you from this courtroom.”
Charlotte crossed her arms but said nothing more.
She had no idea the judge she was insulting was also the grandfather of the baby she was accusing me of inventing.
Chapter 3: Chaos
Charlotte’s lawyer began presenting their so-called evidence.
A disgraced doctor claiming I couldn’t conceive.
A private investigator claiming he found receipts for a fake pregnancy device.
It was absurd.
“I already offered to be examined by a court-appointed doctor,” I argued. “Not one hired by them.”
My baby kicked inside me.
Hard.
Maybe he could feel my panic.
Across the room, my father watched everything carefully.
Every insult.
Every lie.
Every cruel word Charlotte threw at me.
Finally Charlotte snapped.
“This is ridiculous!” she shouted, standing abruptly. “Why are we wasting time on this woman?”
“Sit down,” the judge warned.
But she ignored him.