Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 63

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

(Sabrina’s POV)

The gavel falls, finalizing the decision of the court.

I collapse back in my chair, sobbing so hard I can barely breathe. Sophia’s arms wrap around me

from behind, and Richard is grinning wider than I’ve ever seen.

Across the aisle, Dustin is white-faced, shaking. “The divorce is finalized? How can the divorce be

finalized? We still have two more weeks before the waiting period is over…”

“That’s usually the practice.” Jessica tries to touch his arm, but he jerks away. She doesn’t seem to

1 mind, merely crossing her arms. “But I heard in the case of an immediate death, military

deployment, or a waiting period where it causes undue hardship to one of the parties involved, the court has the power to grant immediate divorce.”

“This isn’t over,” he snarls at me. “I’ll appeal. I’ll—”

“Mr. Hill?” Judge Whitmore looks at Richard. “Did you have additional matters to address?”

Only then do I notice Richard standing, and something in his expression makes my pulse quicken. “Yes, Your Honor. Given the custody and divorce ruling, I’d like to present additional evidence

regarding the division of marital assets.”

He pulls out a thick folder. My pre-nuptial agreement. The one that should’ve been voided years ago on Dustin’s suggestion. But I never got the chance to submit them.

“Seven years ago, Mr. Reed and Ms. Moore signed a pre-nuptial agreement.” Richard’s voice carries clearly through the courtroom. “The terms were simple and mutual. In the event of divorce

due to infidelity, the unfaithful party forfeits all claim to jointly acquired assets.”

“This is ridiculous!” Dustin’s voice cracks. “That agreement was voided! We signed the papers years ago!”

I stand slowly, an unhealthy dose of anticipation flooding through me. Now that I won the full

custody of my son, I don’t care about the house as much. However… it doesn’t hurt to see Dustin

lose everything. I want to see what kind of expression Dustin will make when he realizes the truth. “You’re right, Dustin. We did sign the papers.”

His face floods with relief.

“But I never submitted them.”

The relief drains away instantly.

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Chapter 44

“What?”

“You suggested we void it. That you’d be an idiot to cheat on the woman who gave you a son.” I keep my voice steady, almost conversational, only with a sardonic smile on my lips. “Guess you recognized your true nature before the fact, huh?”

Understanding dawns in his eyes, followed by pure horror.

“But in the hustle and bustle of creating those campaigns-you know, the ones you later claimed as your own-and taking care of baby Jake, and managing my own work projects, I forgot to take care of the filing.” I laugh,soft and sweet, relishing the look on his face. “I swear. It wasn’t intentional.

just completely forgot to submit those papers. So technically, the pre-nuptial agreement never got

voided.”

“You’re lying. You did it on purpose. You deceived me-” Dustin lunges forward, but Tom and

Jessica both grab him.

“I’m not lying,” I say calmly. “I legitimately forgot. I had to look after the house and take care of a

newborn, all while creating your campaigns and keeping up with my own work projects. I mean,

how much can a girl handle? I was exhausted. And you never followed up to check, did you? Just

assumed I’d handle everything like I always do.”

Dustin’s face goes from purple to white. He’s left speechless, opening and closing his mouth, but

no words come out.

Richard takes this moment to hammer the nail home. “Your Honor, my client is speaking the truth.

The agreement was never voided, despite Mr. Reed’s claims to the contrary. I have the original document here, signed and notarized.” He hands it to the bailiff, who passes it to the judge.

“Additionally, I have bank statements spanning five years, clearly showing that Ms. Moore contributed equally-and in some cases more-to the purchase of their home, vehicle, and other

significant assets.”

Judge Whitmore reads through the documents, her expression unreadable. “Mr. Reed, is this your

signature on the original pre-nuptial agreement?”

“Yes, but-”

“And Ms. Moore, is this your signature on the void request that was never filed?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

The judge studies the papers for what feels like hours. Finally, she looks up.

“The pre-nuptial agreement is legal and binding. The void request was never processed, therefore the original terms remain in effect.” She turns to Dustin. “Mr. Reed, the evidence clearly shows you

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Chapter 44

engaged in an extramarital affair, making you the unfaithful party as defined in this agreement.

Dustin’s face goes grey.

“Therefore, in accordance with the pre-nuptial agreement signed by both parties, all jointly acquired assets-including the house at 428 Maple Street, the 2019 Honda Accord, and any other properties or investments purchased during the marriage-are hereby awarded solely to Sabrina Moore.”

The gavel falls.

Dustin makes a sound like a wounded animal. His hands clutch the table edge so hard his knuckles turn white. For a second, I think he might actually faint.

Jessica grabs his arm, her own face twisted with fury. “Dustin-”

“Don’t start!” He shakes her off violently. “Not now!”

“This court is adjourned.” Judge Whitmore stands. “Ms. Moore, you’ll receive all necessary paperwork within the week. Mr. Reed, you have thirty days to vacate the residence at 428 Maple Street before legal actions will be taken against you.”

The gavel falls one final time.

I can’t move. Can’t breathe. Can’t process what just happened.

In a day, I got everything back. My house, my car, my freedom.

And most importantly of all, the full custody of my son.

Richard’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Congratulations, Sabrina. You now have your house back.”

Tears stream down my face, and I can’t help clutching his hand, desperate to express my gratitude. “It’s all thanks to you. I couldn’t have gotten everything back so soon without you.”

Sophia crashes into me from behind, wrapping me in a hug so tight I can’t breathe. “Holy shit, you actually did it! You made Dustin Reed lose everything!”

“No, I didn’t do anything. It’s all Richard and you, and even Jake, that Dustin lost everything.”

“You’re wrong. If you hadn’t fought for yourself, no one would’ve been able to help you.” She says this with so much conviction, that I have no choice but to believe it.

But I’m not looking at her now. I’m looking at Dustin across the aisle as Tom tries to calm him down, as Jessica whispers urgently in his ear, as the full weight of his loss finally hits him.

He wanted to take everything from me.

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