Chapter 8 - The Law Comes Down
David spun around, his face turning pale as he found himself boxed in between the school's iron gates and Gabriel Sterling’s imposing frame.
"Emily!" David stammered, putting his hands up defensively. "I... I was just coming to see my kids! A father has a right to see his children!"
Emily walked past Gabriel, stopping five feet from David. She looked at him with an expression so icy, so devoid of affection or fear, that David felt as if he were standing before a judge in a high court.
"You don't have children, David," Emily said, her voice quiet, sharp, and perfectly clear. "You have three lives you tried to abandon before they were even born. You signed away your parental rights when you refused to pay medical costs during my pregnancy and sent a letter through your lawyer stating you had no interest in being a father."
"I was stressed! I didn't know!" David yelled, his self-control snapping completely. "You tricked me! You kept them hidden so you could use them against me later! Look at me, Emily! I lost my job! I lost my apartment! My life is destroyed because of you!"
"Your life was destroyed by your own arrogance, David," Gabriel Sterling stepped forward, his deep voice carrying a tone of absolute command. He pulled an official legal document from his leather portfolio and held it in front of David's face.
"What's this?" David rasped.
"That," Gabriel explained, "is an emergency permanent restraining order issued by the State Superior Court three hours ago. You are prohibited from coming within five hundred yards of Emily Cruz, her children, her residence, or any properties owned by Sterling Global Architecture."
David looked at the document, then back at Emily. "You can't do this! I'll fight this in court! I'll sue you!"
"With what money, David?" Emily asked softly.
The question hit David like a physical blow. He froze, his mouth hanging open.
"Your bank accounts were attached by the county sheriff this morning for back child support," Gabriel added coldly. "And as of twenty minutes ago, three police cruisers are turning onto this street to arrest you for criminal trespass and violating school security protocols."
Right on cue, the red-and-blue lights of three police cruisers flashed around the corner, their sirens wailing softly as they pulled up along the curb.
David looked left, then right, like a trapped animal in a cage. "Emily... please," he whimpered, tears filling his eyes as he looked at her. "Don't do this to me. We used to be married. Remember the old days? Remember when we were young?"
Emily looked at him quietly for a long moment. She remembered the cold winter nights when she worked double shifts to buy him books for his finance exams. She remembered the way he looked at her with disgust when he received his first big bonus check.
"I remember," Emily said gently. "And that's why I know you deserve every single thing that is happening to you today."
May you like
She turned to Gabriel. "Let's get the children."
Two police officers stepped out of their cars, pulling David’s arms behind his back and snapping steel cuffs over his wrists as he began to sob uncontrollably, his pathetic cries echoing down the peaceful suburban street.
