Chapter 8 - The Courtroom Question
Six months after the incident, Skylar entered a Miami-Dade courtroom for a hearing related to the divorce and property claims.
Her injuries had healed, though a faint mark remained near her jaw.
She wore a dark green suit and carried no documents. Mara had already submitted everything required.
Derek sat across the room with his attorney.
He looked thinner.
Without the expensive office, the charity dinners, and the apartment behind him, he seemed less powerful. Skylar realized that much of his authority had been scenery.
Suzanne sat in the back row with her own counsel.
The divorce itself was not complicated. The apartment had belonged to Skylar before the marriage and remained protected by the family trust.
Derek’s attorney argued that he had contributed to improvements and should receive compensation.
Mara presented records showing that most renovations had been paid from Skylar’s account.
The judge reviewed them.
“Mr. Hale,” she said, “are you claiming ownership based on expenditures made with your wife’s funds?”
Derek’s attorney stood.
“We are claiming that Mr. Hale managed the renovations and increased the property’s value.”
“Management does not create ownership.”
The judge denied the claim.
She also ordered Derek to repay funds improperly taken from the trust, subject to the findings of the separate financial case.
Then Derek requested permission to address the court.
His attorney whispered urgently to him, but Derek stood.
“Your Honor, my wife is using one incident to erase an entire marriage.”
Skylar felt Mara’s hand rest near hers on the table.
The judge looked at Derek.
“This hearing concerns property and dissolution. The criminal allegations are being handled elsewhere.”
“I understand, but she wants everyone to believe I am some kind of monster.”
The judge’s expression did not change.
“This is not the place for personal speeches.”
Derek looked directly at Skylar.
“She knows I never meant to hurt her.”
Skylar heard the old invitation hidden in the sentence.
Help me protect the version of myself I prefer.
For years, she would have answered gently.
This time, she asked Mara whether she could speak.
The judge permitted it.
Skylar stood.
“I don’t know what he intended,” she said. “I only know what he chose.”
Derek looked away.
Skylar continued.
“He chose to forge my signature. He chose to hide bank letters. He chose to interfere with my employment. He chose to take money and call it management. He chose to throw the coffee. Then he chose to blame me.”
The courtroom was silent.
“I spent years trying to understand his intentions because that allowed me to ignore his actions. I will not do that anymore.”
She sat down.
Derek did not speak again.
The judge finalized the dissolution of the marriage and confirmed Skylar’s sole ownership of the apartment.
Outside the courtroom, reporters waited near the steps because the financial investigation had become public.
Skylar did not give them a dramatic statement.
She only said, “The evidence is in the court record.”
Derek emerged several minutes later and attempted to avoid the cameras.
A reporter asked whether he had forged his wife’s signature.
Another asked about the missing investor funds.
For years, Derek had controlled every room by speaking first and loudest.
May you like
Now every answer created another question.
Skylar walked away without looking back.
