The Verdict That Broke Us

Daisy’s pov

"Dad... please don't make me choose between you and my husband.”

Dad didn’t answer. He just kept pacing behind his desk while I stood there in his office, the familiar smell of old books wrapping around me like it always had when I was a kid

“Daisy, you’re asking for too much,” he said, voice low and strained. “A man is dead. Gina's husband—newly married, on their way back from their honeymoon. Now, she’s lying in a hospital bed, barely conscious, widowed before she even took off her wedding dress. This isn’t some minor traffic violation. It's a hit-and-run. Your brother in law broke the law. Are you asking me to do the same?”

I swallowed hard, my hands twisting together. “Dad, I’m not asking you to break the law. I’m only asking you to show mercy. Cooper’s family… they’re threatening divorce if Tristan doesn’t get leniency. They blame me for everything.”

He stopped mid-step and looked at me, with an unyielding expression. “I never chased you out of my house, Daisy. You can always come back. But I warned you. I told you never to marry Cooper Hutchinson. That family never wanted you. They see you the same way they see me—their enemy.”

His words landed hard. I sank down onto the rug on my knees. My throat felt so tight that I could barely speak. “Please, Dad.”

For a second, his face softened the way it used to when I’d come to him with a scraped knee. He sighed and helped me up, his hand steady on my arm. “I'm a judge, Daisy. I don't bend the law. My duty is to uphold it. But… I’ll see what I can do.” He paused. “Court is starting soon. You should go.”

I took three shaky steps towards the door, paused, fingers tight on the frame, and the truth spilled out before I could cage it. "Dad… I'm pregnant. With your grandchild."

He took his glasses off slowly, studying me like I was someone on the witness stand. "You're only twenty-three, Daisy. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I'm sure, Dad.” I said quietly.

“Does Cooper know?”

“No.” My voice cracked. “I plan to tell him after the hearing.” I’m telling you because I need you to feel this, I thought desperately. Because this baby deserves its father, and I can’t lose Cooper over his younger brother’s mess.

“I can’t lose my marriage, Dad.”

He gave one slow nod. That was all.

I slipped out into the hallway, pulse still roaring in my ears.

Cooper was pacing in the waiting area, tall and restless in his dark suit, hair slightly messed like he’d been dragging his hands through it. The second he saw me, his whole face changed—that look he saved only for me, protective and so full of love it made my chest ache. He crossed the space and pulled me close.

“Baby, what did he say?” he asked softly.

“He didn’t promise anything,” I mumbled. “But I think he heard me.”

His mouth tightened, just a flicker of disappointment he tried to hide. Cooper was nothing like Tristan—reckless, party-fueled, always chasing trouble. Cooper was the steady one, the one who kept this family together.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Come here.” He folded me into his arms without hesitation. His heartbeat thumped strong against my cheek. I breathed him in. “We’ll get through this,” he murmured, lips brushing my temple. “You and me. Always."

He held me tighter. For those few seconds, the rest of the world—the years of feuding between our families, the warnings my dad gave me before I married Cooper, all of it—felt distant. Just his heartbeat and the way he kissed my hair like he could protect me from anything.

Then the bailiff called us in.

We took our seats. Across the aisle, Cooper’s mother and father watched me with cold stares that promised pain if my father failed them. I lowered my head.

Tristan was led in, shackles clinking softly with every step, looking smaller and more fragile than I had ever seen him. Even now, I couldn't understand why Tristan had always been the favourite child while Cooper carried the burden of being the responsible son. Now one stupid, reckless drunk driving, and my entire marriage was hanging by a thread because of him.

My father entered. Judge Benedict Donovan. His voice stayed even as he laid out what happened. The newlyweds. The crash. The young man was gone in an instant. The widow left behind.

Then came the words that changed everything.

“Tristan Hutchinson…”

The courtroom fell silent.

“…this court sentences you to twenty-five years’ imprisonment.”

In one strike of the gavel, my father had done the right thing... and destroyed my life.

Tristan's head snapped up. “Dad… Mom, please—” He strained toward them as the officers led him away, voice cracking. “I’m sorry—”

Cooper’s hand slipped from mine. He made a fist on his knee. My father glanced my way for half a second and mouthed I’m sorry before leaving the bench.

Magnus. My father in law stood up fast. “This was pointless. Let's go.”

My mother-in-law whispered, “Twenty-five?” Her voice broke on the word. Then she called out, soft and desperate, “Tristan…” before she clutched her chest, gasping for air, and collapsed on the floor.

I rushed with Cooper towards her. Voices rose around us. Paramedics rushed in. Magnus dropped down beside her, his hand shaking as he touched her shoulders. We drove immediately to the hospital.

In the quiet hospital corridor later, the doctor came out and spoke in a low voice. Heart attack. We lost her.

Cooper stood beside the hospital window without moving. I had never seen him cry before. Not once in three years together. But now tears slid silently down his face, and there wasn't a thing I could do to stop them.

Magnus stood there for a long time, staring at nothing. Then he sat down slowly in one of the hard chairs. He traced slow circular lines on the wedding ring on his finger. A rough, broken sound escaped him—almost like a laugh, but worse.

“Thirty eight years…” he whispered.

He stared at the ring a moment longer. When he finally looked up at Cooper, his eyes were bloodshot. “Her father just killed your mother. I can’t have that woman answer my name anymore.” He glared at me. “Divorce her. Immediately. Or you’re no son of mine.”

Then he walked away.

“Cooper…” My voice came out small, trembling. I reached for his arm.

He flinched at my touch. For a long second, he was staring at the floor.

“I need to be alone right now, Daisy.”

He simply turned and walked away.