The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The courtroom went dead silent.

For the first time since I’d known him, Zane looked rattled. His composure cracked–just for a second–but I caught it

“What are you doing?”

I kept my voice steady.

“My attorney was clear. We’re amending the defendant. If you won’t allow it, we can’t present our evidence.”

It was a threat. No hiding it.

And Zane didn’t know how to respond.

The gallery erupted.

Online, the comments exploded.

“She’s stalling. This is BS.”

“Just apologize and GO.”

“Judge, don’t let her play games.”

I glanced at the screen. Let the hatred roll off me.

I’d survived ten years of being nothing in my own marriage. This? This was easy.

Not compared to Leo in the ICU.

Not compared to a decade of separate rooms and silence.

This didn’t even register.

That’s when Emily made her move.

She rose slowly, clutching Dylan’s hand. Tears streaming.

“Jenna… I know you’re hurting. Leo got hurt, and you need someone to pay for it.”

Her voice trembled.

“But Dylan’s just a little boy. He’s terrified. He wakes up screaming. Won’t sleep alone anymore.”

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The Verdict on My Husbal the Judge: GUILTY

Chapter 5

She looked at Leo–soft, pleading.

“All I want is an apology. That’s it. Then we’ll leave. I promise.”

Her act made my stomach turn.

Zane leaned forward, voice cold as steel.

“Mrs. Rhodes. Enough.”

“Stop wasting this court’s time. Cooperate, or I’ll hold you in contempt.”

I’d had enough.

I looked up at him. Held his stare.

And smiled.

He’d always done this. Talked down to me. Treated me like I was being hysterical.

When really? He was the most corrupt person in this room.

“Cooperate?” I shot back.“You want to lecture ME?”

“You’ve spent this entire trial acting like I’m the problem. Like I’m here to waste time. But what about my son?”

My voice cracked–louder, rawer.

“Leo had a brain bleed. A broken rib. He almost DIED. Now he’s being accused based on a fake video–and you don’t see anything wrong with that?”

“First time Dylan attacked him? You said there wasn’t enough evidence. Delayed the trial. Second time? You called it ‘boys being boys.‘ So where’s the justice?”

The room quieted. Not completely–but enough.

Zane stared at me. Frozen.

I’d never seen him speechless before.

The whispers started up again–but this time, they weren’t all aimed at me.

A few heads turned. Then more. All eyes shifting toward him

Even the live chat slowed down.

“Wait… she’s got a point.”

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The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

Chapter 5

“Why IS he only going after her?”

“Something feels off.”

That’s when Mr. Chen moved.

He stepped forward, his voice calm and deliberate.

“Your Honor, we are formally requesting to amend the defendant.”

“If you deny this request, we cannot present our evidence in full context. We’ll be forced to file for a continuance based on incomplete discovery.”

Zane’s knuckles went white on the gavel.

He hadn’t seen this coming.

I’d just beaten him at his own game!

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the Judge: GUILTY