Chapter 7: Everything Came Into the Light
Gavin caught me before my knees gave way.
“Call an ambulance,” he ordered.
“No.” I held on to his sleeve until the pain eased.
“Not until Patrick’s authority over me is gone.”
Judge Lawson remained on the screen.
“Dr.
Vane, did Serena sign that power of attorney in your presence?”
The doctor looked at Patrick, then at me.
“No.
She was sedated during a prenatal procedure.
Patrick pressed her hand onto a signature pad.”
Patrick slammed his briefcase shut.
“He’s lying to save his license.”
Dr.
Vane placed the medical file before Helen.
“The original sedation record has the exact time.
The notarized document claims Serena signed across town twelve minutes later.”
“You altered those records,” Patrick said.
“You ordered me to alter them.
I kept the originals.”
I faced Patrick.
“You stole my signature while I was carrying your child.”
“I built a future for us.”
“You built a cage.”
Patrick lowered his voice.
“Take a settlement.
Ten million dollars, the house, and full support for the baby.
Tell Gavin this was a misunderstanding.”
“You offered me the house after throwing me out of it?”
“I’m offering peace.”
“No.
You’re trying to purchase my silence with my own money.”
Two court investigators entered.
Patrick backed toward the side door, but Chloe stood in front of it.
“Move,” he told her.
“You said Serena was helpless,” Chloe replied.
“Look at her now.”
Patrick grabbed the laptop from Helen’s table and raised it over the floor.
“Put it down,” Judge Lawson ordered through the screen.
“If there’s no computer, there’s no case.”
I reached for the silver phone.
“The files were copied to three secure servers,” I said.
“Breaking that laptop only proves you knew what was on it.”
Patrick froze.
Helen took the computer from his hands.
One investigator stepped beside him while the other collected his phone.
Judge Lawson lifted the original divorce order.
“The judgment concerning marital property is stayed pending a fraud review.
Patrick’s medical and financial authority is revoked immediately.”
“And my baby?” I asked.
“Patrick will have no custody or decision-making authority unless a family court determines otherwise.
Given today’s evidence, contact will be supervised.”
Patrick’s attorney closed his folder.
“I am withdrawing as counsel,” he said.
“You can’t leave me now,” Patrick snapped.
“I warned you not to submit false evidence.”
Helen’s phone rang.
She answered and put it on speaker.
A banking officer spoke.
“Patrick Hale’s corporate accounts have been frozen.
The receiving company is under fraud investigation, and its credit facilities are suspended.”
Patrick turned to Gavin.
“You did this.”
“No,” Gavin said.
“Your signatures did.”
An investigator placed restraints around Patrick’s wrists.
He looked at me one last time.
“Without Rochester money, you would still be nothing.”
I stepped close enough for him to hear me clearly.
“I was worth something when I had no name, no home, and no one beside me.
That is the one truth you never understood.”
The investigator guided him toward the doors.
“You’ll regret choosing them over me,” Patrick called back.
Another contraction bent me forward.
May you like
Gavin wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and Chloe supported my other side.
“This time,” I told Patrick as the doors closed, “you’re the one leaving with nothing.”
