Novel-novel oleh Smart.T

Aloe's POVThe courtroom felt suffocating despite its spacious design.Wakes sat across the aisle with his attorney Patricia Holbrook, his expression carefully neutral. Blake sat beside me with Karen Ross, tension radiating from every line of his body.Judge Morrison, no relation to Senator Morrison, thankfully reviewed the emergency motion with professional detachment."Mr. Savage, you're requesting modification of custody arrangements based on renewed federal investigation of Mr. Matthew. Explain your concerns."Wakes stood, and I was struck by how genuine he seemed. "Your Honor, I'm not questioning Mr. Matthew's past rehabilitation.But new allegations suggest he may have been involved in a criminal conspiracy more extensive than originally disclosed.My daughter Evelyn spends significant time in his home. Until these allegations are resolved, I believe supervised visitation is appropriate precaution.""Ms. Matthews," Judge Morrison turned to me, "how do you respond?"Karen had pre

Blake's POVThe federal prosecutor assigned to my case was Assistant U.S. Attorney David, a young and ambitious man, exactly the type who'd see reopening a closed case as a career opportunity rather than justice."Mr. Matthew, these documents from Senator Morrison's estate suggest you had prior knowledge of the Sanctuary's operations." David spread emails across the conference table. "Care to explain why you didn't mention this during your original cooperation?"I studied the emails with Sofia beside me, my attorney Margaret back on the case despite having retired.The documents looked authentic, it has my email address, proper formatting, dates that aligned with my investigation timeline.But I'd never written them."These are fabricated," I said. "I had no prior knowledge of the Sanctuary until Sofia's investigation revealed it during Aloe's rescue.""Convenient claim, considering Senator Morrison can't defend his allegations." David pulled up another document. "This email, dated

Aloe's povLife had settled into comfortable routine–Blake working at legal aid, me volunteering while raising James and co-parenting Evelyn with Wakes. Three years of marriage had proven we could build something real from our complicated beginning.Then Sofia called with news that shattered our peaceful existence."Blake, there's a problem. A big one."I watched Blake's face change as he listened, saw color drain from his features. When he hung up, his hands were shaking."What's wrong?" I asked, moving James off my lap to focus on Blake."Senator Morrison died in prison last week. Heart attack." Blake sat heavily on the couch. "His lawyer just released his final statement—a confession detailing everything about the Sanctuary conspiracy, including information he claims proves I knew more than I testified to."My blood went cold. "What does that mean?""It means Morrison is claiming I was involved in the Sanctuary operation from the beginning. That I knew about the political conspirac

Aloe's POVThree years after jumping from that Hamptons window, I found myself at a charity gala—not as a controlled wife performing for her husband's benefit, but as a volunteer with the legal aid clinic where Blake worked. Full circle in a way that felt significant."You okay?" Blake asked, adjusting James in the baby carrier while Evelyn held his hand."Just thinking about the last time I was at an event like this. With Wakes, performing the perfect wife role, dying inside.""Different now.""Very different."The gala was raising money for domestic violence survivors—a cause I'd become invested in after my escape. I'd started speaking publicly about my experience, helping other women recognize control disguised as love.Tonight I was scheduled to give a brief speech. Standing before a crowd of wealthy donors felt terrifying and necessary."Good evening. My name is Aloe Matthews, and three years ago I was in an abusive marriage to a billionaire who controlled every aspect of my life

**Blake's POV**Married life revealed itself through accumulated small moments rather than dramatic changes. Making coffee while Aloe got Evelyn ready for daycare. Grocery shopping together on Saturdays. Learning to navigate disagreements without one of us trying to control outcome."We're bad at fighting," Aloe observed after our first real argument—something mundane about whose turn it was to handle dishes."Because we both expect the other to manipulate or become controlling, so we're too careful.""Can we practice being worse at fighting? More authentic?"We laughed, which resolved tension better than careful politeness had. Learning to be real—including real disagreement—turned out harder than performing harmony.Six months into marriage, Aloe came home from doctor's appointment with news that changed everything: "I'm pregnant."I stopped mid-motion, coffee cup halfway to sink. "You're sure?""Very sure. About eight weeks along." She sat on couch, expression complex. "Blake, I kn

Aloe's POVMy wedding dress cost two hundred dollars from department store—simple cream sheath that fit my post-pregnancy body perfectly without requiring alterations. So different from my first wedding's designer gown that had cost more than most people's cars.This dress felt more like me.Sofia helped me get ready in Portland courthouse's small preparation room. "Nervous?""Terrified. Happy. Both." I adjusted the simple flower crown Evelyn would wear as flower girl. "Sofia, is this crazy? Marrying the man who manipulated me three years ago?""It would be crazy if he was still that person. But Blake now? He's earned this." Sofia handed me simple bouquet—local flowers, nothing extravagant. "Aloe, you're choosing this eyes wide open. That's not crazy, that's brave."The ceremony was in courthouse's small chapel room—thirty guests, mostly Sofia's connections since I'd lost most friends during isolation with Wakes. Evelyn sat in front row with Wakes, who'd agreed to attend despite awkwa