Chapter 5
Elena held up a printed stack of messages.
“These are conversations between Mr. Carter and Ms. Bennett from six months ago — right around the time Ms. Carter was five months pregnant.”
She began reading.
Daniel: Once the baby is born, we can push for full custody. She’s too emotional. A judge will see that.
Olivia: What if she fights back?
Daniel: She won’t. She has no money. No job. No family support except her mother. We’ll wear her down. She’ll give up eventually.
Olivia: And if she doesn’t?
Daniel: Then we use the fact that she’s been seeing a therapist. We’ll say she’s unstable. Postpartum depression or something. We just need to be patient.
Elena lowered the papers.
“These messages were recovered from a backup of Mr. Carter’s phone. We have timestamps, dates, and verification from a digital forensics expert.”
The judge’s expression had turned cold.
Daniel looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor.
Olivia was no longer smiling. She was gripping the edge of the table so tightly her knuckles had turned white.
I finally spoke.
“I found out I was pregnant the same week I discovered the affair,” I said, my voice steady. “I stayed silent because I wanted to protect my child. I spent months collecting evidence because I knew neither of you would play fair.”
I looked directly at Daniel.
“You didn’t just want a divorce. You wanted to take my baby away from me. You and Olivia planned it together.”
Daniel finally found his voice.
“Emma, that’s not— Those messages were taken out of context—”
The judge cut him off.
“Mr. Carter, I suggest you stop talking.”
She turned to me.
“Ms. Carter, do you have anything else you wish to present at this time?”
I nodded.
“Yes, Your Honor. One more thing.”
I looked at my lawyer.
May you like
Elena opened the final folder.
This was the one that would destroy them completely.
