Caroline's Point of View
The custody papers feel like ice in my hands.
[Emergency Custody Hearing. Caroline Hill vs. The State of New York. Allegations of Mental Instability and Child Endangerment.]
My vision blurs as I read the words that will destroy my life. Psychiatric evaluation by Dr. Reeves declaring me "emotionally unstable." Evidence of "erratic behavior including property destruction and association with known criminals." Witness testimony about my "inability to provide a safe environment for a minor child."
It's all lies. But they're lies wrapped in legal language, stamped with official seals, filed with the court system that's supposed to protect children like Liam.
Instead, it's being weaponized to steal him from me.
"This is fabricated," Knoxx growls from behind me, reading over my shoulder. "Every word of it. No legitimate psy
Caroline's Point of ViewThe video of me throwing champagne at Adrian has been viewed two million times in the past twenty-four hours. #ChampagneCaroline is trending on Twitter. The society pages are calling it either "the most epic takedown in New York history" or "a disturbing display of instability," depending on which publication you read.I don't care about any of it.What I care about is the custody hearing that was mysteriously postponed "pending further review." What I care about is the fact that Adrian's lawyers haven't called to drop the charges as promised. What I care about is that my son keeps asking why everyone looks so sad."Can we do something fun today?" Liam asks, tugging on my sleeve as I scroll through my phone, looking for any news about the legal situation. "Like really fun?"I look up from the screen to find him watching me with those serious brown eyes&md
Caroline's Point of ViewThe call comes at seven in the morning, three hours before the custody hearing."Caroline," Adrian's voice through the phone is smooth as silk, casual as if we're old friends catching up. "I have a proposition for you."I'm sitting at the kitchen table in Knoxx's apartment, watching Liam eat cereal while Knoxx reviews legal documents with Elena Martinez, our lawyer. The sight of them working together—Knoxx's focused intensity, Elena's sharp efficiency—had given me hope for the first time in days.That hope evaporates the moment I hear Adrian's voice."I'm not interested in anything you have to say," I tell him, my voice low so Liam won't hear."Oh, I think you will be. Especially since it involves dropping the custody lawsuit."My heart stops. Knoxx looks up from the papers, his eyes sharp, questioning
Caroline's Point of ViewThe bail hearing was a nightmare of legal procedures and cold fluorescent lights, but somehow Knoxx's lawyer managed to get him released on a million-dollar bond. Assault charges against a philanthropist, even a fake one, carry weight in the court system.But he's free. For now.I drive through downtown with Liam buckled in the backseat, heading toward the address Knoxx texted me this morning. He said he needed to "take care of something" before we could meet to discuss our next steps. Legal strategy. Safe house arrangements. All the practical details of a life that's spiraling completely out of control.The address leads me to a part of town I don't recognize. Small shops with hand-painted signs, narrow streets lined with cars that have seen better decades. It's the kind of neighborhood where people mind their own business and ask few questions.Perfect
Caroline's Point of ViewThe custody papers feel like ice in my hands.[Emergency Custody Hearing. Caroline Hill vs. The State of New York. Allegations of Mental Instability and Child Endangerment.]My vision blurs as I read the words that will destroy my life. Psychiatric evaluation by Dr. Reeves declaring me "emotionally unstable." Evidence of "erratic behavior including property destruction and association with known criminals." Witness testimony about my "inability to provide a safe environment for a minor child."It's all lies. But they're lies wrapped in legal language, stamped with official seals, filed with the court system that's supposed to protect children like Liam.Instead, it's being weaponized to steal him from me."This is fabricated," Knoxx growls from behind me, reading over my shoulder. "Every word of it. No legitimate psy
Adrian's Point of ViewI watch from across the street as Knoxx Wayne emerges from the safe house, his hand hovering near his waistband where I know he keeps his gun. Always the predator, even when he's pretending to play house.He thinks he's protecting them. He thinks his money and his muscle and his connections make him untouchable.He's about to learn how wrong he is.I don't move from my position by the black sedan. I don't need to. This isn't about physical confrontation—that's Knoxx's game, not mine. I fight with lawyers and leverage, with carefully crafted narratives and strategically placed pressure.I fight with precision.Right on schedule, another car pulls up to the curb. A sleek silver BMW that purrs to a stop behind my sedan. The driver's door opens, and Elsa steps out.Perfect.My distant cousin h
Knoxx's Point of ViewI've run international corporations. I've negotiated billion-dollar deals. I've faced down men who would kill me without blinking.But standing in this safe house kitchen at six in the morning, trying to figure out how to make pancakes the way Caroline likes them, I feel more out of my depth than I ever have in my life.The batter is too thick. Or maybe too thin? I add more milk, then more flour, then curse under my breath as it turns into something that looks like cement.I've never cooked for her before. Not once in the three years we were married. Back then, we had staff for that. Chefs who knew exactly how she liked her coffee, how she preferred her eggs, which fruits she'd eat and which she'd push around on her plate.I knew how to buy her expensive things. I knew how to take her to the best restaurants. I knew how to provide for her in every way except