All Chapters of Divorced, But Taken By My Ex’s Uncle For Revenge: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

“Court is now in session.” The moment the judge says that, everyone sits back down. My hand already feels cold, but I manage to grip my dress and look towards Laurent in front of the court room as he adjusts his tie and stands. “Your Honour,” he begins, his voice calm. “this matter concerns the custody of a minor, Theo Hale, whose welfare is the central issue before this court.” He pauses, like he’s waiting for the words to sink in the judge’s mind before continuing. “My client, Elara Ellis, is the biological mother and primary caregiver following a formal separation from the respondent.” He turns slightly toward the judge. “Since the separation, the child’s primary residence has been with his father for a period of adjustment, but recent events necessitated this application for custody.” The judge nods once in acknowledgment, and Adrian’s lawyer stands right away. “Your Honour,” he begins. “while the respondent does not dispute biological connection, we will demonstrate tha

The moment the question leaves Laurent’s mouth, silence follows.I watch as Adrian stiffens, tightening his grip on the witness box. He doesn’t jump in right away to answer too. He actually takes a moment to think, and that alone is enough to make the whole atmosphere more tense. Then, he speaks. “I don’t trust that the stability he currently has in her custody looks good on paper.” His voice is surprisingly calm, like he’s choosing his words. “And that’s because the court deals with present conditions. It doesn’t deal with future breakdowns and what might happen.”The judge nods, her gaze narrowed on him. Laurent, too, doesn’t interrupt him. Adrian takes that as an indication to continue. “I’ve seen what happens when people assume things are fine just because they look fine,” he pauses for effect, now sweeping his gaze across the court before meeting Laurent’s gaze again as the judge takes notes. “And I’ve already experienced violence from Mr Nathanial Hale Monroe.”The judge look

“This court is not being asked to erase anything,” is the first thing Laurent says the moment Adrian’s lawyer keeps quiet. He steps forward so he’s now closer to the judge. “It is only being asked to weigh safety.” Silence follows, and he continues. “And I would remind the court that custody is not awarded based on duration of care alone.”From the corner of my eyes, I see Adrian try to stand up, ready to defend himself, but Vivienne grabs his arm immediately, forcing him to sit. My attention is now on them, and though I can’t hear what she’s saying because of the distance between us, I can tell she’s trying to calm him. As if he can feel my attention, his gaze drifts towards me, now filled with malice before he turns again with a quiet scoff. I turn too, just as Laurent says, “custody is awarded based on the ability to prevent harm.”The judge nods, her pen paused in her hand as she listens to him attentively. “And look, when harm has already occurred once in a child’s primary e

The courtroom doesn’t feel the same way it did earlier when we return back inside. It’s not about the noise and chaos as everyone settles down, and neither is it about how I feel mixed with the anxiety of how this might end. It’s just about the whole vibe of the place. It’s like everyone has seen something they weren't supposed to see and now doesn't quite know where to look.Pushing the thoughts away, I take my seat beside Nathaniel who leans down and drops a small kiss to the side of my head. The action sends warmth through my chest, and I look up at him, my lips curving into a forced smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. When he smiles back at me, I turn my attention towards where Adrian, his lawyer, Karen, and Vivienne are now seated, looking uncomfortable and out of place. Vivienne is seated beside Adrian, but he isn’t acknowledging her. Even when she leans in to say something to him quietly, he doesn’t say anything or even look like he’s being spoken to. And even when she rea

"This court finds that primary physical custody of Theo Blake shall be awarded to the applicant, Mrs Elara Ellis." The moment the words are out of the judge’s mouth, everything around me fades away, and I swear, I forget how to breathe. I watch as her mouth moves, listening as she talks about visitation, parental rights, schedules, and conditions. But none of them register in my mind. Not only because it feels unreal, but because the only thing repeating in my head is Theo. And the fact that I got him. At the thought of that, my eyes sting with tears, and I blink it back, turning my attention to Laurent. He has a look of victory on his face as he quietly closes his file, proud of what he just did. I look towards Adrian too, swallowing when I see how bunched in defeat his shoulders are, his figure still rooted in place. I’m jolted back to reality by the sound of the judge’a voice again. "This matter is concluded. Court is adjourned." The gavel comes down, and the room e