Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159

Chapter 159

The courthouse felt different on the second day. The same marble floors and towering columns remained, but the air seemed thicker, charged with anticipation that made every breath feel heavy. Lucia sat between Alexander and Ria at the plaintiff’s table, her hands folded so tightly in her lap that her knuckles had gone white

Judge Henley entered exactly at ten o’clock, her black robes flowing behind her as she took her position behind the bench. The courtroom fell silent except for the soft whir of the air conditioning and the muffled sounds of traffic outside.

“All rise.” The bailiff announced.

Lucia s legs felt unsteady as she stood, but Alexander’s hand found hers, giving her strength. Across the aisle, Marco and Margaret rose as well. Marco’s face was stone, showing no emotion, while Margaret dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, still playing the role of the grieving stepmother.

“Be seated.” Judge Henley adjusted her glasses as she opened the thick folder Containing all the evidence and testimonies

from their case.

The silence stretched on for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes. Lucia could hear her own heartbeat thundering in her ears as she waited for the words that would determine her children’s future.

Judge Henley cleared her throat and looked directly at both families.

“I have spent considerable time reviewing all testimony, evidence, and documentation presented in this case. This is never an easy decision, particularly when children’s welfare hangs in the balance.”

Lucia’s breathing became shallow. She felt Ria’s hand slip into her free one, cold and trembling.

“However.” Judge Henley continued. “The evidence presented paints a clear picture of what occurred in Mr. Hart’s household and the dramatic improvement in these children’s lives since relocating to Mrs. Kane’s care.”

Marco’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

“The medical documentation regarding Monica Hart’s self-harm, which began during her residence with Mr. Hart and ceased upon moving in with Mrs. Kane, is particularly compelling. The testimony from Mrs. Anderson regarding the child’s transformation was both professional and heartfelt.”

Judge Henley turned a page in her folder.

“Additionally, the photographic evidence of physical injury to Lucas Hart, combined with his own testimony and that of his

r siblings, establishes a pattern of inappropriate discipline that crossed the line into abuse.”

Margaret shifted in her seat, her tissue-dabbing becoming more frantic.

“Mrs. Hart’s testimony regarding her interactions with these children was contradicted not only by the children themselves but by documented instances of emotional cruelty witnessed by multiple parties, including school personnel and household

staff.”

Judge Henley removed her glasses and looked directly at Marco.

“Mr. Hart, while I understand your desire to maintain a relationship with your biological children, the evidence clearly demonstrates that your household created an environment detrimental to their physical and emotional wellbeing.”

Lucia held her breath.

“Therefore, it is the ruling of this court that Mrs. Lucia Marie Kane be granted full legal and physical custody of Monica

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love Hu, Ria Elizabeth Hart, and Lucas James Hart.”

The words hit Lucia like a physical force. She felt Ria’s hand squeeze hers so tightly it hurt, felt Alexander’s arm wrap around her shoulders as relief flooded through her body.

“Furthermore.” Judge Henley continued. “Mr. Hart’s visitation rights will be limited to one supervised visit per week, contingent upon the children’s consent and overseen by a court-appointed guardian.”

Lucia heard a sharp intake of breath from Marco’s side of the courtroom.

“These visits may be discontinued at any time if the supervising guardian determines they are not in the children’s best interests. Mr. Hart will also be required to complete anger management counseling before any visitation can commence.”

Judge Henley’s gavel came down with a definitive bang.

“This court is adjourned.”

For a moment, the courtroom was completely silent. Then Ria let out a sob of relief, throwing her arms around Lucia’s neck.

“We won, Mom. We actually won.”

Alexander pulled them both into his embrace, his own eyes wet with tears. “It’s over. You’re safe. All of you are safe.”

Lucia couldn’t speak. The relief was so overwhelming it felt like drowning in reverse. Instead of fighting for air, she was suddenly able to breathe freely for the first time in months.

Around them, their legal team shook hands and gathered papers, smiling at their victory. Other families in the courtroom offered quiet congratulations as they filed out.

But across the aisle, a different scene was unfolding.

Marco sat frozen in his chair, staring straight ahead as if he couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. His face had gone completely pale, and his hands gripped the edge of the table so hard his knuckles stood out like mountains.

Margaret was no longer dabbing delicately at her eyes. Tears of rage streamed down her face as she whispered furiously in Marco’s ear, her careful composure completely shattered.

“Marco?” His lawyer spoke quietly. “We should discuss appeal options.”

But Marco wasn’t listening. Slowly, he turned in his chair to look at Lucia and her family celebrating their victory.

The expression on his face made Lucia’s blood run cold.

r

It wasn’t just disappointment or sadness. It was pure, concentrated hatred. The kind of look that promised retribution, that swore vengeance for this humiliation.

Marco stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor with a harsh screech. Margaret scrambled to follow him as he began walking toward the exit, but he moved with such angry purpose that she struggled to keep up.

“Dad?” Ria called out as he passed their table.

Marco stopped dead in his tracks. Slowly, he turned to face his eldest daughter, the child who had once been his pride and joy.

Ria stood up, her face hopeful despite everything that had happened between them.

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ad, maybe we can still work things out. The judge said you could have supervised visits. We could try to rebuild…”

“Rebuild?” Marco’s voice was so cold it could have frozen fire. “Rebuild with a traitor?”

Ria’s face crumpled as if he had slapped her. “Dad, I’m still your daughter.”

“No.” Marco’s voice got louder. “You stopped being my daughter the moment you chose her over me. The moment you stood up in this courtroom and lied about me to help your precious mother.”

“I didn’t lie.” Ria whispered, tears starting to fall. “I told the truth about what happened in our house.”

“The truth?” Marco’s laugh was bitter and harsh. “The truth is that I gave you everything. I provided for you, housed you, paid for your education, your clothes, your entire life. And this is how you repay me? By stabbing me in the back?”

Alexander started to stand, but Lucia put a hand on his arm. This was Ria’s moment to face her biological father, and interrupting might make things worse.

“Dad, please.” Ria begged. “I love you. I never wanted to hurt you. But I couldn’t let you hurt Monica and Lucas anymore.”

“So

you chose them over me. You chose her over me.” Marco pointed at Lucia with such venom that several people in the courtroom turned to stare. “Well, congratulations, Ria. You got what you wanted.”

Margaret appeared at Marco’s side, her face twisted with fury. “Come on, Marco. They’re not worth it. None of them are worth it.”

But Marco wasn’t finished. He looked around the courtroom at the lawyers, the court reporter, the few remaining spectators, and his voice carried to every corner of the room.

“You think you’ve won?” He asked, looking directly at Lucia. “You think this is over?”

“Marco.” His lawyer warned quietly. “Don’t say anything you’ll regret.”

“I’m not going to forget this.” Marco continued, ignoring his legal counsel completely. “Any of this. You’ve humiliated me, destroyed my reputation, turned my own children against me. You think your money and your lawyers make you untouchable?”

Alexander stood up slowly, his body language protective and threatening at the same time. “Are you threatening my family, Hart?”

“I’m promising them.” Marco snarled. “All of you. You’ve made an enemy today that you’ll regret for the rest of your lives.”

“Dad, stop.” Ria pleaded, reaching toward him. “This isn’t you. This isn’t the father I remember.”

Marco looked at her one more time, and for just a moment, Lucia saw a flicker of the man he used to be. The father who had once loved his children, who had read them bedtime stories and taught them to ride bikes.

But then the moment passed, and his face hardened again.

“The father you remember is dead.” His words came out quiet but deadly. “You killed him when you chose to betray me.”

With that, he turned and strode out of the courtroom, Margaret hurrying after him on her high heels. The sound of the door slamming behind them echoed through the chamber like a gunshot.

Ria stood frozen for a moment, tears streaming down her face, before collapsing back into her chair.

“He hates me. The whisper came broken. “My own father hates me.”

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