His Ex-wife Betrayal

CHAPTER 4

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 his daughter in the care of various babysitters. Mrs. Webb has been the primary caregiver throughout Emma's life."

Damien's jaw tightened. Primary caregiver. Lisa who had missed Emma's last three parent-teacher conferences because she was "too busy." Lisa who forgot Emma's birthday last year until Damien reminded her.

Catherine stood again. "Your Honor, if I may address these allegations?"

Judge Morrison nodded.

"Mr. Webb's so-called 'excessive hours' are him working to support his family while Mrs. Webb was engaged in an extramarital affair. As for the incident yesterday, my client was provoked by Mr. Campbell, who offered him money to abandon his daughter. The medical records Mrs. Webb is using to justify this hearing actually prove her infidelity."

"Objection!" Patricia's voice rose. "Mrs. Webb's private medical information has no bearing on her fitness as a parent."

"It has bearing on her character and decision-making," Catherine shot back. "She engaged in an affair that led to hospitalization, all while her husband worked to provide for their family. Then she brings her lover around their seven-year-old daughter, confusing the child and disrupting her stability."

Judge Morrison held up her hand. "Enough. I want to hear from the parties themselves. Mrs. Webb, please approach."

Lisa stood, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. She looked fragile, vulnerable. Damien knew better. He'd seen her drop the act the moment she thought no one was watching.

"Mrs. Webb, tell me about your relationship with your daughter."

"Emma is my whole world, Your Honor." Lisa's voice trembled perfectly. "I've been there for every milestone. Her first word, her first step, her first day of school. Damien works constantly. Sometimes Emma doesn't see him for days."

Damien wanted to object, but Catherine placed a warning hand on his arm.

"And Mr. Campbell?" Judge Morrison's tone revealed nothing. "What is his relationship with your daughter?"

"Derek has been a friend to our family for several months. He's been kind to Emma, but I never intended to confuse her. Damien is blowing this out of proportion because he can't accept that our marriage is over."

"Due to your affair."

Lisa flinched. "I made a mistake. I'm not proud of it. But that doesn't make me a bad mother."

"No, it doesn't." Judge Morrison made a note. "Mr. Webb, your turn."

Damien stood, his legs unsteady. All his prepared statements fled his mind as he looked at the judge.

"Your Honor, I love my daughter more than anything. I work hard because I want to give her a good life. I've never missed a school event when I could help it. I know her favorite bedtime story, that she hates carrots but loves broccoli, that she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up." His voice caught. "I know her. I've been there. And I'm not violent. What happened yesterday was wrong, but it was one moment of anger after weeks of betrayal. That's not who I am."

"One moment is all it takes, Mr. Webb." Judge Morrison's expression remained neutral. "Ms. Torres, what arrangement are you proposing?"

"Joint custody with Mr. Webb as primary guardian. Mrs. Webb has demonstrated poor judgment and instability. Mr. Webb has been the consistent, reliable parent."

Patricia stood. "Your Honor, Mr. Webb can barely afford his current apartment. How can he provide stability when he's drowning in debt and working constantly?"

"Because I prioritize my daughter over everything else!" Damien couldn't stay silent. "Unlike her mother, who prioritized her affair."

"Mr. Webb, control yourself," Judge Morrison warned.

"I'm sorry, Your Honor. But this isn't fair. I did everything right and I'm being punished for it."

"Life rarely is fair, Mr. Webb. I deal in what's best for the child." Judge Morrison looked at both attorneys. "I'm ordering a home study for both parents. In the meantime, temporary custody will remain joint with neither parent permitted to leave the state with the child. We'll reconvene in two weeks."

"Your Honor," Patricia objected, "given Mr. Webb's violent outburst—"

"Two weeks, Ms. Valdez. That's my ruling. Court is adjourned."

The gavel's bang felt like a death knell. Damien sank into his chair as the courtroom emptied.

"We survived," Catherine said quietly. "That's what matters now."

"She's going to win, isn't she?"

"Not if I can help it." Catherine gathered her papers. "The home study is good for us. You're organized, stable. Lisa's living situation is about to get complicated."

"What do you mean?"

"Derek Campbell is married."

Damien stared at her. "What?"

"I did my research last night. His wife filed for separation last week, but they're still legally married. That's going to look very bad for Lisa in the home study. A woman who breaks up families isn't a great image for a custody battle."

A flicker of hope sparked in Damien's chest. "Can we use that?"

"We can and will. But Damien, you need to be perfect from here on out. No more confrontations and document everything. Be the model father."

They left the courthouse together. Outside, Lisa and Derek were talking to Patricia near a black Mercedes. Lisa caught Damien's eye and smiled, a small, triumphant curl of her lips.

Damien looked away. Let her think she'd won. He'd learned long ago that the loudest person in the room wasn't always the strongest.

His phone buzzed. Emma's school.

"Mr. Webb? This is Principal Davis. We have a situation with Emma. Can you come in?"

Damien's heart stopped. "What kind of situation?"

"She's not hurt, but she's very upset. She locked herself in the bathroom and won't come out. She's asking for you."

"I'm on my way."

Damien ran to his car, Catherine following. "What's wrong?"

"Emma. Something happened at school."

"Go. I'll handle the rest."

The drive to Emma's elementary school took twelve minutes that felt like twelve hours. Damien parked illegally and sprinted inside.

Principal Davis met him at the office. "She's in the second-floor bathroom and won't talk to anyone."

Damien climbed the stairs two at a time. Outside the bathroom, he could hear Emma crying.

"Princess? It's Daddy. Can you open the door?"

The crying stopped. A long pause. Then the lock clicked.

Emma stood there, tears streaming down her face, her favorite unicorn shirt torn at the collar.

"What happened?" Damien knelt down, eye level with her.

"Tyler said Mommy's a bad person because she has two boyfriends. And when I said that wasn't true, he pushed me and everyone laughed." Fresh tears flowed. "Is Mommy bad, Daddy?"

Damien pulled Emma into his arms, rage and heartbreak warring in his chest. Lisa's affair wasn't just destroying their marriage. It was destroying their daughter's innocence.

"Mommy made some mistakes, but she's not bad. And you know what? Tyler was wrong to push you and say mean things. That's not okay."

"I want to go home."

"Okay, princess. Let's go home."

Principal Davis agreed to excuse Emma for the rest of the day. Damien carried her to the car, her small arms wrapped around his neck.

At home, they built a blanket fort in the living room and watched Emma's favorite movies. Damien ordered pizza and let her have ice cream before dinner. Rules could wait. Today, she just needed to feel safe.

As Emma finally fell asleep against his shoulder, Damien's phone lit up with a message from Catherine.

"Just got the home study schedule. Your appointment is Friday at 4 PM. Lisa's is next Monday. Make sure the apartment is spotless. I'm sending over a checklist."

Another message followed, this one from an unknown number.

"You should have taken the money. Now everyone loses. Especially Emma."

Damien deleted it without responding. Derek was wrong. Emma wasn't going to lose. Damien would make sure of that, no matter what it cost him.

He looked down at his sleeping daughter, so small and trusting. She believed Daddy could fix anything.

Time to prove her right.