All Chapters of He Stole My Love, Heart and My Future—But I’m Taking It Back: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The stone steps of the courthouse felt different under my feet this time. The afternoon sun was warm on my back. Three months ago, I had walked up these same steps as a hurt woman—broken, scared, holding onto hope like it was all I had left. Today, I walked down them as someone completely new."Mrs Reyes!" The reporters rushed toward me like ocean waves. Their cameras flashed in the bright light. "How do you feel now that your ex-husband got his punishment?"I stopped at the microphone. The moment felt heavy and important. Behind all the cameras, I could see Alejandro holding Mateo's hand. They were both watching me with big, proud smiles that made my heart feel full."Justice won today," I said. My voice was strong and clear, reaching everyone in the crowd. "Carlos Reyes got fifteen years in prison for stealing money, trying to kill me, and planning to kidnap my son. He will stay in jail for every single day."The warm breeze carried my words across the courthouse steps."What about D

"Close your eyes," Alejandro said as we pulled up to the place he had been secretly taking me to all morning."I hate surprises," I said, but I was smiling anyway. After yesterday's therapy session, I felt lighter somehow like admitting I was broken had made room for something new to grow.The morning air was warm and smelt like flowers and ocean salt."Trust me," he said, and those simple words meant so much more than they sounded.I closed my eyes and let him help me out of the car. Mateo was giggling excitedly somewhere nearby. The ground under my feet felt soft and bumpy, not like a road or sidewalk."Okay." Alejandro's voice was nervous with excitement. "Open them."I opened my eyes and took a quick breath.We were standing in the middle of beautiful land—maybe two acres—with rolling hills and big oak trees making spotted shadows across wild grass. Far away, I could see the ocean sparkling like tiny diamonds."Alejandro, what is this?""Our future," he said simply. "I bought it y

The woman at my front door had Carlos's eyes.They were dark brown and cold, just like my ex-husband's. But Carlos had always dressed nice and acted fancy when he was being cruel. This woman was different. She wore her anger like a shield. Her cheap jewelry rattled against an old leather jacket every time she moved."You must be Emily," she said. She didn't wait for me to invite her in. She just walked right into my house. "I'm Isabella. Carlos's half-sister."Behind me, Alejandro's whole body went stiff. Upstairs, Mateo peeked through the stair railings. His face looked curious but scared."I'm sorry, but I don't understand," I said carefully. "Carlos never told me about—""Of course he didn't." Isabella's laugh sounded bitter and mean. "The fancy Reyes family doesn't talk about kids born outside marriage. But family is family. I have every right to half of what my dead brother left behind.""Dead?" The word hit me like cold water. "Carlos isn't dead.""He might as well be. Prison, s

The courthouse steps felt huge and scary, like climbing a mountain."You don't need to worry," Sofia said, fixing her bag strap. "We have everything we need."But my hands were still shaking. For six months, I had taken care of Mateo. For six months, I loved him but was always scared someone might take him away. Now we were here for the big day. I wanted to become his real guardian forever. I wanted the law to say what my heart already knew - he was my son."What if she comes here?" I asked, looking around the courthouse door."Then we'll deal with it." Sofia's voice was strong but gentle. "Daniela can't do anything to us now, no matter what tricks she tries."Mateo held my hand tight. He had been quiet all morning. But this wasn't the scared quiet from months ago. This was different. This was the quiet of a boy who had found his strength."I'm ready," he said.Judge Martinez was a woman around sixty years old. She had kind eyes and gray hair pulled back neatly. Her courtroom felt war

The cold gel felt icy on my skin, but Alejandro's hand was warm in mine."First time hearing your baby's heartbeat?" Dr. Martinez asked, putting the tool on my tiny bump."First time for everything," I whispered. My voice was tight with excitement and worry.The screen lit up - a fuzzy black and white picture that looked like clouds to me. But then Dr. Martinez moved something, and there it was. A tiny flutter on the screen, barely bigger than a bean."There's your baby," she said softly.I couldn't breathe. That tiny flutter was mine. Ours. Growing inside me even though every doctor had said it couldn't happen."And here..." She pressed a button, and suddenly the room filled with sound. A fast, steady whooshing that seemed to come from everywhere at once.The heartbeat.I started crying before I knew it. Not quiet tears, but deep sobbing that came from my soul."Emily?" Alejandro sounded worried. "Are you okay?""It's so strong," I said through my tears. "Listen to how strong it is."