The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

A week before the trial, a video went viral.

In it, Leo wasn’t the victim anymore–he was the aggressor. Dylan wasn’t the bully–he was the one getting beaten.

The case exploded overnight.

People dug up my social media. Comments flooded in–hundreds, then thousands. Calling me trash. Calling my son a psycho.

Leo got suspended. I called everyone I could think of.

No one picked up.

That’s when I learned what it means to be truly alone.

Then Zane called.

“Drop it. Drop the case now, and I’ll make this go away.”

His voice was calm. Even. Like this was just another case to him.

I was barely holding it together.

“You’re sick. He’s YOUR SON. How can you DO this?!”

He didn’t say anything.

Then came that slow exhale.

“Jenna, I’m trying to help. But you’re too stubborn to see it.”

I threw the phone. It shattered against the wall.

Leo stood in the doorway, pale as a ghost.

“Mom… does Dad not love us anymore?”

I choked back a sob and pulled him close.

“No, baby. No. You’ve got me. Always,”

19:58

The Verdict on My Hush the Judge GETTY

Chapter 4

Someone threw red pat

across our garage door.

Another neighbor dumped rotting garbage on our porch.

At 2 a.m., someone pounded on the door, screaming at us to leave before they called the cops themselves.

Zane didn’t come home.

I stayed up for two nights straight–sat in the hallway with Leo beside me and a kitchen knife in my lap.

I didn’t sleep. Didn’t dare.

The morning of the trial, our complex was a circus. Cameras everywhere. People with signs. Everyone filming.

Outside the courthouse? Worse.

Someone threw an egg at me the second I got out of the car. Then a tomato. Something hard–maybe a rock–hit my

forehead.

“KARMA, BITCH!”

I threw my arms around Leo and shoved through. By the time we made it inside, my shirt was soaked and my face was bleeding.

That’s when I saw them.

Zane and Emily, entering through a side door. Clean. Calm. Untouched.

Our eyes met.

He didn’t even try to hide the smirk.

Like he was said: This is what you deserve.

Inside, the courtroom was standing room only. They were live–streaming everything.

I glanced at the monitor. Comments flying too fast to read. But I caught enough.

“Lock that kid up.”

“Tax fraud AND a violent son? Trash.”

“Judge Lawson deserves so much better.”

Zane sat at the bench, expressionless. Tapped the gavel once

19:58

The Verdict on My Husbal the Judge: GUILTY

Chapter 4

“Order.”

Emily’s lawyer stood and played the video–the one that had been circulating for days.

On screen, Leo looked wild. Cursing. Hitting Dylan over and over while Dylan cowered, crying.

In the gallery, Dylan clung to Emily, trembling.

“Mommy, I’m scared. Why does he hate me?”

Leo jumped up, tears streaming.

“I DIDN’T! HE STARTED IT! DAD, PLEASE-”

The gavel slammed down.

“SIT DOWN.”

Leo flinched like he’d been hit. Dropped back into his seat, shaking.

Emily stood, holding Dylan like he might break.

“I don’t want money. I just want an apology. Acknowledgment of what he did.”

The live chat exploded.

“She’s a saint.”

“The proof is right there.”

“Lock them both up!”

Whispers spread through the room.

“I know the truth. She baby–trapped him.”

“Kid’s twisted, just like her.”

“Her lawyer didn’t even show.”

Someone in the back started chanting.

“APOLOGIZE! APOLOGIZE!”

More joined in. The whole courtroom roared.

Zane sat above it all, staring down at me.

19:58 O

2.9

The Verdict on My Husbal the Judge: GUILTY

Chapter 4

Finally, he raised the gavel.

“Does the plaintiff wish to make a statement?”

I didn’t move.

He exhaled–relief crossing his face.

“Very well. In that case-”

The doors burst open. Cut him off.

My lawyer strode in.

Now I stood. Smiled.

“Actually, Your Honor, I do.”

I locked eyes with him.

“I’d like to amend the defendant.”

O(2)

(0)

The Verdict on My Hushad the Judge: GUILTY

31

Chapter 5

Chapter 5