The Silent Wife novel (Rachel and Justin) novel Chapter 341

Chapter 341 She Has Lost a Baby Before

Charlotte’s arrival marked a turning point in the court hearing. After all, civil cases like child custody battles were the hardest to adjudicate on. There were no black-and-white rules on this, but it was almost common practice that the child’s wishes would have a huge impact on the court’s verdict.

Justin frowned at once. “Miss Carter, who let you bring my daughter here? Frankie, take Charlotte out of here now!”

Hernandez stood up at once. “Your Honor.”

The judge banged the gavel in his hand. “Silence!”

The scene went silent at once.

Hernandez accused sharply, “How could a kid grow up under the control of such a domineering father?”

Justin looked as black as thunder as he struggled to suppress his displeasure. “Rachel, why do you have to have Charlotte brought here?”

Instead of answering him, Rachel continued to make her case. “Your Honor, there’s one other thing that I need to make clear. I gave birth to Charlotte while I was divorced and technically single. The time of her birth and the time of my divorce could be verified, so her custody should’ve been mine in the first place.”

All at once, a discussion broke out among the jury.

Justin wanted to say something, but his attorney stopped him, saying, “Your Honor, I’d like to ask for a recess.” After all, Charlotte’s sudden presence had made the situation somewhat complicated.

The judge nodded slightly. “The court will recess for 15 minutes.”

Justin stopped Rachel as soon as they left the courtroom. “Come with me. I’d like to have a word with you!”

“Justin.” Hernandez tried to stop him.

Rachel was imperturbable, though. “It’s okay. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Only then did Hernandez relent.

After following Justin into the lounge, Rachel asked straightforwardly, “What do you want to say? Shoot.”

Justin took a deep breath and let it out slowly. After barely calming himself, he said, “Rachel, whatever means you use for this lawsuit, I can understand it, but why do you have to be so cruel? Why let Charlotte see us at each other’s throats? She’s just a kid!”

Rachel argued, “She’s already six years old. Do you think she doesn’t know anything? Rather than coaxing her into living a fairytale, it’s better to let her choose her own future life. At least she won’t blame me in the future for not giving her the opportunity!”

“That’s too cruel! You’re her mother!”

“It’s precisely because I’m her mother that I want her to know I’ve never given up on her! I’ll do my best to win this lawsuit.”

Justin was on the verge of breaking down. “Do you have to do this? I told you that you can visit her anytime you want. You—”

“I don’t want that!” Rachel interrupted him snappily. “It made me feel very uncomfortable the first time I heard this from you. You sounded like you’d made a huge concession or something. Do you honestly think I should be eternally grateful for that?”

Justin was at a loss for a reply. Rachel’s words punctured the man’s eardrum and pierced through his nerves one after another like needles.

“If there’s nothing else, I gotta go. The hearing will continue in a minute.”

“Wait a minute.” Justin grabbed Rachel’s arm. His deep voice dripped with humbleness as he said, “I’m not making concessions; I’m begging you. I can’t lose Charlotte.”

In a small movement, Rachel broke free of Justin’s grasp and flicked the nonexistent dust off the cuff of her shirt.