Gabriel shook his head frantically, looking at the gallery. “She is confused, Your Honor! Children misunderstand adult conversations all the time!”
Daisy’s small voice dropped even lower, though it carried clearly through the silent room. “Daddy put papers inside Mommy’s tea box, and Bianca said Mommy would sign them right after the baby came because she would be way too tired to read them.”
The entire courtroom erupted into frantic chatter and gasped in total disbelief.
PART 3: UNCOVERING THE TRUTH
Judge Barrett’s gavel came down twice with force before the room finally quieted down enough for her to speak.
Penelope barely heard any of the surrounding noise because her mind was spinning uncontrollably.
She was suddenly remembering Gabriel bringing her a warm cup of herbal tea every single evening, a simple gesture she had held onto when trying to convince herself that their failing marriage was still survivable. She was remembering him constantly telling her that she was becoming forgetful, paranoid, and far too emotional whenever she asked basic questions about their life. She remembered the missing bank statements she had inquired about twice before giving up, the sudden password changes he excused as routine corporate security, and the life insurance policy he insisted was just standard family planning.
