Chapter 6 - The Emergency Hearing
On Wednesday morning, the courtroom was tense. Evan sat next to Beatrice, both dressed in expensive clothes, looking like the picture-perfect grieving family. Delilah sat beside me, her hands gripping mine, her chest heaving with anxiety.
Evan's lawyer stood up. "Your Honor, my client's wife left the marital home in the middle of the night, subjecting a five-year-old child to sleeping in a vehicle. She is emotionally unstable, and we ask for immediate full custody of Noah Mercer for his own safety."
The judge looked at Arthur. "What does the defense have to say?"
Arthur stood up, perfectly calm. "Your Honor, the only reason the mother and child were in a vehicle is because the plaintiff violently assaulted her and evicted her from a home she legally had the right to occupy. Furthermore, we submit Exhibit A: an official confession from notary Marcus Vance, proving the plaintiff and his mother committed grand larceny and bank fraud to steal the equity of the home."
The judge’s eyes went wide as Arthur handed over the affidavit and the bank statements. Evan looked at Beatrice, panic suddenly breaking through his arrogant facade.
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"This is absurd!" Beatrice shouted from the gallery. "That woman is lying!"
"Silence!" the judge barked, slamming her gavel. "Mr. Mercer, you are facing serious criminal allegations. This custody request is not only denied, but I am issuing an immediate emergency protection order. You are to stay five hundred feet away from Delilah and Noah Mercer."
