CHAPTER 43: Viral Outrage

The news about James's motion went public within hours.

"Sterling Son Claims Stepmother Faked Medical Emergency"

"James Sterling: 'Convenient Timing' on Pregnancy Complications"

"Billionaire's Son Accuses Pregnant Wife of Sympathy Ploy"

The headlines were brutal. But this time, they weren't on James's side.

Victoria showed me her phone from my bedside. "T*****r is destroying him."

@MomOf3: He's accusing a woman on bedrest of faking a placental abruption? That's a new low.

@DoctorSarah_MD: Medical professional here. Placental abruption is SERIOUS and can be fatal. This is disgusting.

@NYCDad: I don't care what your grievances are. You don't attack a pregnant woman. Period.

@TeamBella2025: JAMES STERLING IS A MONSTER. Bella almost lost her baby and he's calling it fake? CANCELLED.

Even people who'd supported James were turning on him.

"His approval rating dropped to 22%," Victoria said. "He's becoming a villain in his own story."

"Good," I said, surprising myself with the venom in my voice. "He deserves it."

Alexander, working from the armchair beside the bed, looked up. "That's not like you."

"I'm done being gracious. He accused me of faking a medical emergency that could have killed our daughter. I'm allowed to be angry."

"You are. I just don't want you stressed. Remember what Dr. Patel said."

"I'm on bedrest, not under sedation. I can be angry and resting."

Victoria grinned. "Pregnancy has made you feisty. I approve."

---

But the worst came that afternoon.

A video surfaced. James, drunk in a bar, ranting to friends. Someone had recorded it and leaked it online.

"She's probably not even pregnant," slurred James's voice. "Probably just fat. Wearing a fake bump for sympathy."

His friends laughed.

"And if she is pregnant? Who says it's even Dad's? Could be anyone's. She was sleeping around for months."

More laughter.

"The whole thing is a scam. The marriage. The baby. All of it. And everyone's too stupid to see it."

The video ended.

The internet exploded.

Within an hour, it had ten million views. Twenty million. Fifty million.

#JamesSterlingIsTrash trended worldwide.

Celebrities weighed in. Politicians. Influencers. Everyone had an opinion.

@ActressEmmaJ: I've been quiet about this drama but ENOUGH. Accusing a pregnant woman of faking her baby? Unforgivable.

@SenatorMarkH: This is exactly the kind of toxic masculinity we need to call out. Do better, gentlemen.

@ChefGordonR: James Sterling is a disgrace. End of story.

Even his own supporters were abandoning him.

Victoria showed me the video once. I watched in silence, my hand on my belly.

"He really believes that," I said quietly. "That I'm faking this. That Luna isn't real."

"He's drunk and desperate," Alexander said, but his voice was tight with fury.

"He called our daughter fake. He said I'm wearing a fake bump." I looked down at my very real, very pregnant stomach. "How do you even respond to that?"

"You don't," Patricia said, calling in immediately. "You let him self-destruct. This video is the best thing that could have happened for our case."

"How is this good?"

"Because it shows his true character. His contempt. His willingness to lie and attack. Any jury that sees this will turn against him."

"But the trial isn't for two months—"

"About that." Patricia paused. "The judge denied James's motion to delay. We're still on schedule. And given this video, I think we have a strong chance of winning summary judgment."

"What's that?" I asked.

"It means we win before trial even starts. The judge looks at the evidence and rules that James has no case. It's rare, but with this video? We have a shot."

After she hung up, I stared at the ceiling.

"He destroyed himself," I said. "I almost feel sorry for him."

"Don't," Alexander said flatly. "He called you fat. Said our daughter isn't real. He doesn't deserve sympathy."

"He's still your son."

"A son I don't recognize anymore." He moved to sit on the bed beside me. "When did he become this person? This cruel, vindictive stranger?"

"Maybe he always was. You just didn't want to see it."

"Maybe. Or maybe I enabled it. Made excuses. Looked the other way." His voice was heavy. "Either way, I'm done. After this trial, whether we win or lose, I'm done trying to salvage a relationship with someone who attacks my pregnant wife."

Luna kicked hard against his hand.

"She heard you," I said.

"Good. She should know her father has priorities. And she and her mother are at the top."

---

That night, Catherine visited with dinner—proper meals since Alexander kept forgetting to eat when he was worried.

"How are you holding up?" she asked me.

"Physically? Fine. Luna is active and healthy. Emotionally?" I shrugged. "I'm angry. Hurt. Exhausted."

"You're allowed all of those feelings." She set out containers of food. "I saw the video."

"Everyone saw the video."

"I called James afterward. Told him he's crossed a line I can't forgive."

I looked at her, surprised. "You did?"

"He's my grandson. I love him. But love has limits. And accusing you of faking your pregnancy?" Her eyes were fierce. "That's beyond any limit I have."

"He won't take that well."

"I don't care. I'm choosing my family. My real family. You, Alexander, and Luna." She touched my hand. "I'm sorry it took me so long to see clearly."

"Better late than never."

"Still. I enabled him too. Made excuses. Now I have to live with knowing I helped create this monster."

"He created himself, Catherine. We all just... gave him the resources to do it."

She smiled sadly. "You're very kind to say that."

After dinner, Catherine left and Alexander climbed carefully into bed beside me.

"Two more weeks of bedrest," he said. "Then Dr. Patel will reassess."

"I'm going stir-crazy."

"I know. But Luna needs you stable. Stress-free."

"How can I be stress-free when James is self-destructing publicly?"

"By remembering that his self-destruction is actually *good* for us. Every terrible thing he does or says makes our case stronger."

I turned to face him. "Do you think we'll win? Really?"

"I think truth wins eventually. Maybe not immediately. Maybe not easily. But eventually."

"That's very optimistic for someone who's usually cynical."

"I'm optimistic because of you. Because you make me believe good things are possible."

Luna kicked between us.

"She's agreeing," I said.

"She's a smart girl. Takes after her mother."

"Flattery will get you everywhere."

"Good. Because I plan to flatter you for the next fifty years."

"Only fifty?"

"Fine. Sixty. Seventy. However long I have."

I kissed him softly. "Deal."

As I drifted off to sleep in his arms, I felt something shift.

Yes, James was self-destructing. Yes, the trial was coming. Yes, everything was still complicated.

But we were winning.

Slowly. Painfully. Messily.

But winning.

And that was enough.