Chapter 12
“Wait–please don’t pass judgment yet…”
Brandon lurched forward and grabbed my wrist, his fingers ice–cold and shaking. Desperate, trembling, his voice cracked.
“Claire, please… I’m sorry. I know I was wrong–I swear I’ll change.”
111 be a good husband. I won’t betray you again.”
“We–we have a child together. A little boy. He just turned one. He needs her mom…*
“Even if I’ve done terrible things, she’s innocent.”
At the mention of the child, murmurs of pity stirred in the courtroom. A few heads tumed, whispering that I should at least fight for custody.
I sighed and looked down, eyes misting over.
“No, Brandon. You still don’t understand.”
“You’re right–the child is innocent.”
“But she’s not mine.”
Gasps echoed through the room.
People stared at me in disbelief.
Beside me, Daniel handed a sealed folder to the judge.
“This is a court–certified DNA report. The child in question has no biological relation to Ms. Claire Whitmore.”
Silence fell–followed by another explosion of outrage.
Thomas’s face twisted with rage as he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Every eye turned toward Brandon–once again, full of disgust.
Everyone had thought he’d repented.
No one expected him to still be lying.
I finally broke down in tears, my voice shaking with fury as I looked at him.
“You switched our baby, Brandon…”
“He hadn’t even opened his eyes yet–and you let him die.”
“You were his father. How could you?!”
A collective cry of horror swept through the courtroom.
People began yelling. Swearing. Calling him a monster.
Brandon broke into a cold sweat and dropped to his knees.
“Claire, please–I didn’t mean to. I was… I was confused. It was a mistake!”
Chapter 12
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“What happened with Madison–it wasn’t planned. I was drunk. I didn’t even know–she seduced me! Lied to me!”
I slapped him–so hard it echoed.
“One lie might’ve been a mistake. But this? This is evil.”
“Madison may have tricked you, what about Lillian? What about that bear suit–was that also an accident?”
“There are dozens of videos, Brandon. Dozens. And you are still lying.”
“And what about the baby?”
“You killed our child.”
“If I hadn’t been suspicious… if I hadn’t had him tested… we’d never even know.”
“I would’ve been left with nothing. No justice. No child. And all because I trusted you.”
“You’re not the man I married anymore. I don’t know who you are.”
I remembered it clearly now.
Two weeks ago, I’d come home early–unannounced–only to find Brandon and Madison wrapped around each other in the bathroom.
I’d hidden. Listened. And heard everything.
From that moment on, I knew I had to protect myself and survive. I’d cried behind locked doors, made plans, gathered evidence–and asked Daniel for help.
Thank God I had.
Otherwise, I would’ve lost everything.
Even my son would’ve been erased.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Claire… I’ll do anything. Just don’t leave me…”
Brandon sobbed, clutching my legs like a broken man.
“I can’t live without you…”
Chapter 12
