Chapter 6

Elena played the recording.

It was Daniel’s voice, clear and unmistakable. He was talking to Olivia in what sounded like a hotel room.

Daniel: Once she has the baby, we’ll file for emergency custody. We’ll say she’s been unstable since she found out about us. Postpartum, anxiety, whatever. My mother already agreed to testify that Emma has been acting strange.

Olivia: What if the judge doesn’t buy it?

Daniel: Then we drag it out in court until she runs out of money. She’ll have no choice but to settle. She’ll give me primary custody just to end it.

There was a pause, then Olivia’s voice again.

Olivia: And after we get the baby… what about us?

Daniel: We get married. We start fresh. Just the three of us.

The recording ended.

The silence in the courtroom was deafening.

Daniel looked like he had been punched in the stomach. Olivia had gone completely pale.

The judge stared at both of them for a long moment before speaking.

“Mr. Carter,” she said coldly, “Ms. Bennett. This court takes allegations of conspiracy to remove a child from its mother very seriously. Especially when there is recorded evidence.”

She turned to me.

“Ms. Carter, I am granting your request for an emergency protective order. Mr. Carter is to have no contact with you or the child except through court-supervised visitation, which will be determined at a later date. Furthermore, I am freezing all marital assets pending a full investigation into financial misconduct.”

Daniel’s lawyer tried to speak, but the judge raised her hand.

“I’ve heard enough for today. This hearing is adjourned. We will reconvene in thirty days.”

She stood up and left the room.

Daniel and Olivia sat frozen in their seats.

I stood up slowly, one hand on my belly.

Daniel finally looked at me. His eyes were filled with something I had never seen before.

Fear.

“Emma…” he started.

I didn’t let him finish.

“You wanted a divorce,” I said quietly. “Now you have one. But you’re not getting my child. And you’re not getting away with what you did.”

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Then I turned and walked out of the courtroom.

For the first time in months, I felt like I could finally breathe.