Richard Chen filed contempt charges against Lisa the morning after the courthouse incident. The motion was simple and clear.Lisa Webb had violated Judge Morrison's direct order to cease all contact with Derek Campbell. She had done so publicly even with full knowledge of the consequences.Patricia Valdez tried to build a defense but they couldn't win this case. Lisa's story kept changing with each version more desperate than the last.“Derek forced the kiss… he grabbed me and I could not push him away because I was still afraid of him,” Lisa said, wiping the fake tears that poured out from her eyes. Then the security footage arrived— the courthouse parking lot, which had a timestamp forty minutes before the hearing. It showed Lisa and Derek arriving together in his Mercedes, they were holding hands and laughing.The footage showed them kissing in the car, the way she held his head passionately made it clear that he didn't force her. No fear. Just two people who couldn't keep their h

Dr. Brennan heaved a sigh. She set her pen down and folded her hands on the desk between them."Withdrawal, aggression, or refusal to engage with activities she previously enjoyed. Has Emma exhibited any of these behaviors?"Damien thought back through the past weeks. Emma had been quieter, yes. More prone to tears or aggression?"She has been sad and crying more. But I have not seen her be aggressive."Dr. Brennan pulled out another file. "Emma's school counselor contacted my office three days ago. There have been several concerning incidents."The room felt smaller suddenly."What kind of incidents?""Emma is becoming physically aggressive with classmates, refusing to participate in group activities, and having violent outbursts during recess." Dr. Brennan paused. "Last week, she pushed another child off playground equipment during an argument."The words hit Damien like a fist to his chest. Emma had hurt another child. His sweet, gentle daughter who cried when she accidentally ste

Damien entered Emma's room quietly. She sat up in bed, pale and exhausted but her eyes lit up when she saw him."Daddy." Her voice cracked.He crossed to her bed and sat on the edge of her bed, taking her small hand in his. "I am here, sweetheart. What do you need to tell me?"Emma's lower lip trembled. Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks and soaked into the hospital gown."I should have told you before, but Uncle Derek said bad things would happen if I did."Damien forced his voice to stay calm. "What did he say, princess?"Emma looked at the door, then back at him. "He said if I told you certain things, you would get hurt. That he had friends who could make sure of it."The nurse stood in the doorway, listening. Damien nodded for her to stay."He showed me pictures on his phone once." Emma's voice dropped to a whisper. "He said they were bad people who did what he told them to do. Really scary people, they looked huge.”Damien felt rage building in his chest, but he kept his face ne

Damien stared at his phone long after Richard hung up. Derek wanted to meet. Derek claimed to have information about Emma that would haunt him forever.Every instinct screamed at him to refuse. He wanted nothing to do with Derek Campbell ever again but Richard's words echoed in his mind."What if he really does know something? Something about Emma's past, or Lisa, or the situation that we have not uncovered yet?"Damien called Richard back within the hour. "I need to know what this is about."Richard sighed heavily on the other end. "I was afraid you would say that. Let me set it up properly but Agent Torres needs to be present."The next morning, they met at Richard's office to discuss the meeting. Torres sat across from Damien, arms crossed and expression hard."This is a manipulation tactic. Derek wants to see you suffer one more time, please don’t give him that satisfaction."Damien rubbed his face with both hands. "What if it is about Emma's life? Something Derek discovered that

Damien stared at his brother in disbelief. "You destroyed my life for revenge that had nothing to do with me and now you want money?"Marcus had the audacity to look offended. "I did not destroy your life. Lisa and Derek did that. I just created an opportunity for the truth to come out.""An opportunity?" Damien's voice rose. "You call what happened to Emma an opportunity?""You should be thanking me. Now you know what kind of woman you married and you have full custody of your daughter.""Thanking you? My daughter is in therapy because of the chain of events you started! She has nightmares. She barely talks. She flinches when people raise their voices."Marcus waved his hand dismissively. "That is on Derek, not me. I did not tell him to become obsessed and plan a kidnapping."He forced himself in and sat down uninvited on Damien's worn couch. The expensive suit looked out of place against the faded fabric."Look, I am sorry things got out of hand but I am your brother and I am in ser