THE FINAL VERDICT

I walked in after my lawyer, Mr Denvas, who was wearing a black suit and shoes, to the courtroom with a heavy heart. I on the other hand, was dressed in a royal blue corporate gown and had my hair done all back. One look at me, and you would think I was a model, far from what my life looked like in reality. But I couldn't give Greg the satisfaction of thinking he broke me. I would take Debby from him no matter what and that would be my greatest revenge. I knew for a fact that Greg and Debby had this undeniable bond. One I almost felt jealous of even as a mother. But I didn't want my daughter being anywhere near that man again. He didn't deserve her in his life anymore, not after what he'd done to us. So no matter how broken, I was on the inside, I couldn't let him see it. I had to be strong for my daughter. She was all I had now. I couldn't let him take her too.

This was the final hearing of the case, which would determine if my ex-husband gets to have custody of our child, Debby, or me. God knew I loved my daughter so much to let her go. Greg and I had been separated for three years now due to his constant infidelity. My breaking point was when I found that one of his many mistresses now had two children for him. He had a family outside of us all these years, and I was so foolish to not have noticed it sooner. All the late meetings, emergency trips for weeks, sometimes months, suddenly made sense. If it were before, I would never have believed that Greg could do this to me. However, life can be so unfair sometimes and I've come to terms with it.

" Miss Olivia, are you sure your okay? You seem a little off today" Mr Denvas said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

" I'm fine just feeling a little under the weather" I said dismissively.

He smiled at me, turning fully to look at me.

" You do want this right" he asked, concern brimming his features.

" More than anything" I answered.

"Miss Olivia, you know in this life it's either you sink or swim right? "

" You can't let him walk away with your child after everything he's done" he continued.

" Yh I know. I don't plan on letting that happen," I said with a firm resolve.

"Good, that's the spirit I need when we walk in that door, okay?"

" Yh sure" I answered back.

Soon, the whole courtroom was crowded with people. I looked to my right from where I was seated to see my best friend and mum seated at the back, there to show their support. I couldn't help but smile at that. The judge walked in soon enough, taking her seat in her chair. The court clerk came in calling the case and Mr Denvas and the other lawyer from the opposing side stood up to present their evidence, stating the reasons why their clients should each gain custody over the child. I looked back and forward, watching the exchange between the two lawyers.

" Your honor, this man here in question is a cheat, lying husband and an irresponsible father. If he could betray his family like that, it's obvious he is incapable and unfit to raise a child.

The other lawyer countered back, saying

" Your honor, I beg to differ, my client here has been nothing short of a loving father to his daughter, providing everything she has ever needed financially.

Both lawyers were good. The judge kept on taking notes as he patiently listened to what they both had to say.

" Very well then let's hear from the witnesses." The judge said further.

The maid was called upon and was being questioned by Mr Denvas.

" Mirable, through all your years working for Greg's family what can you say about Mr Greg?"

" Well, my boss is a good man, he always pays me well and on time. Although sometimes he goes on business trips for a long time, so he's not always around. " She started speaking, saying all she had observed all this while.

"Your honor, with all these, this woman has said, it is obvious that Mr Greg here has been absent for most of this child's life and is always busy with work, and is therefore unfits to have custody over this child.

After much back and forth between the two lawyers, it was finally time for the judge to render his verdict.

GENERATED USING META AI

"After much deliberation, I grant Mrs Olivia custody of the child." The judge said, banging his gavel on the table.

I couldn't help but beam from ear to ear as I hugged my best friend and mum who had also witnessed my victory. As we made our way out of the empty courtroom, I came face to face with Greg, who was clearly very angry about having lost this battle. I smiled at him sweetly even if I felt like boring daggers into him and bade him farewell.