Novels by Treasure

The morning of the final hearing finally arrived. Damien had barely slept, running through every possible scenario until his mind blanked out.Emma had spent the night at Mrs. Patterson's house. Damien couldn't risk her overhearing anything before the hearing. He'd picked out her favorite outfit and left it with a note: "See you tonight, princess. Love, Daddy."Richard Jeff met Damien outside the courthouse at eight-thirty. He wore a charcoal suit that probably cost more than Damien's monthly salary."How are you feeling?" Richard asked."Terrified.""Good." Richard adjusted his tie. "Remember, let me do the talking. If Judge Morrison asks you a direct question, answer honestly but briefly. Don't volunteer extra information."They entered the courthouse together. Lisa was already there with her attorney Patricia and Judge Harrison. Derek stood slightly apart, looking uncomfortable in a suit that seemed too tight across the shoulders.Damien noticed Derek's wife wasn't present. Accordi

The police officer taking Damien's statement looked skeptical. "So you think your estranged wife tried to break into your daughter's school to access files?""I don't know who did it. I'm just saying the timing is suspicious. We have a custody hearing in four days.""Schools have hundreds of students, Mr. Webb. This could be completely unrelated."Damien knew how it sounded. Paranoid and desperate. But Catherine had warned him that Lisa was getting unpredictable.The officer closed his notebook. "We'll investigate, but without evidence connecting this to your situation, there's not much we can do. The school's security system scared off whoever it was before they got inside."After the officer left, Damien sat in the dark living room, listening to Emma's soft breathing from her bedroom. He checked every window lock twice, tested the door chain three times. Sleep was impossible.At six AM, Catherine called. "Did you hear about the school?""I was there when it happened.""Jennifer Reev

Damien called in sick to work on Friday and spent two days transforming the apartment. He scrubbed every surface until his hands were raw, organized closets, he repaired the loose cabinet hinge he'd been ignoring for months. Emma's room received special attention, toys neatly arranged, and her artwork displayed on the walls.Catherine's checklist was exhaustive. Clean refrigerator with healthy food options. Childproofed outlets. Current smoke detector batteries. Age-appropriate books visible. No alcohol in reach. It felt less like preparing for an inspection and more like staging a life he wished he had.Thursday night, Emma helped him bake cookies for the social worker."Why is someone coming to look at our house?" she asked, carefully placing chocolate chips into the dough."They want to make sure you have a nice place to live.""But I already live here. That's silly."Damien smiled despite his anxiety. "Very silly.""Is this because of Mommy and Uncle Derek?"The directness of the

Judge Morrison's courtroom felt smaller than Damien expected. Every sound echoed, his breathing, the shuffle of papers, Lisa's quiet sob that he knew was performative.Lisa's attorney spoke first, a sharp-featured woman named Patricia Valdez who worked for one of the city's most prestigious firms. Damien recognized the power play immediately. This wasn't just about custody. This was about demonstrating Lisa's superior resources."Your Honor, my client fears for her daughter's safety," Patricia began, her voice measured and sympathetic. "Yesterday, Mr. Webb violently assaulted her partner, Mr. Derek Campbell, breaking his nose in an unprovoked attack."Catherine stood. "Objection. Mr. Campbell is not a party to this marriage and his relationship with Mrs. Webb is the reason for the divorce proceedings.""Sustained. Keep to relevant facts, Ms. Valdez."Patricia didn't miss a beat. "The relevant fact is that Mr. Webb has demonstrated violent tendencies. He works excessive hours, leaving

Morning arrived too quickly. Damien got Emma ready for school, dropped her off, then headed to Riverside Park. He arrived early, parking near the main entrance and scanning the area.The park was quiet on a Wednesday morning. A few joggers passed by, and an elderly man fed ducks by the pond. Damien walked to the agreed meeting spot, a bench overlooking the water.At exactly noon, a man approached. Tall, well-dressed in what looked like designer clothes in his confident stride.."Damien Webb?" The man extended his hand.Damien ignored it. "What do you want?"Derek lowered his hand, seemingly unbothered. "To clear the air. Lisa told me you're making this difficult.""I'm making this difficult?" Damien's voice rose. "You've been sleeping with my wife and you think I'm the problem?""Keep your voice down." Derek glanced around. "Look, I understand you're upset. But there's no need for this to get messy.""It's already messy. You made sure of that."Derek sighed like Damien was being unrea

Damien couldn't sleep that night. He sat on the couch until dawn, staring at nothing. At six, Emma's alarm chimed. Damien forced himself up and started making breakfast. He made Emma's favorite, pancakes. Emma appeared in the doorway, rubbing her eyes. "Is Mommy home yet?""Not yet, princess. She'll be at the hospital a bit longer." Damien flipped a pancake. "But I'm here."They ate together, Emma chattering about an upcoming field trip while Damien nodded at the appropriate moments. His phone kept buzzing with messages from Lisa. He ignored every one.After dropping Emma at school, Damien sat in his car outside the building. He should deal with this like an adult. So he drove back to the hospital.Lisa was sitting up in bed, scrolling through her phone when he entered. She looked up, her expression turning to relief."Finally. I've been trying to reach you all night.""I was with Emma." Damien remained by the door. "She told me about Derek."Lisa's face paled. "Damien, please. Let