Chapter 7 - The Downfall
The judge slammed his gavel down so hard the echo rattled the courtroom windows.
"Mrs. Vance," the judge said, his voice dripping with disgust as he glared down at Claire. "Not only is the respondent's motion for custody denied with prejudice, but I am issuing a permanent order of protection barring you from coming within 1,000 feet of Nora Vance or her father."
Claire’s lawyer turned to her, his face pale as he realized he had been representing a sociopath. "Claire... you didn't tell me about the life insurance policy."
"It... it was for her college fund!" Claire shrieked, breaking her calm facade as tears of rage spilled down her face. "Mark is ruining me! He’s destroying my life!"
"In addition," the judge continued coldly, "I am referring these documents directly to the District Attorney’s office for criminal investigation into attempted insurance fraud, child endangerment, and forgery."
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As court officers stepped forward to escort Claire out of the building, she looked at me with pure venom in her eyes. "You think you won, Mark?! You're nothing without my money! Your house is going into foreclosure!"
"My house is just wood and brick, Claire," I said quietly as she was led away in handcuffs. "My daughter is my home."
