Eight months after our divorce was finalized, my ex-husband called to invite me to his wedding reception. I answered with five simple words: “I just had a baby.” Then I added, “I won’t be making it.” Less than forty minutes later, he burst into my recovery room still dressed in his custom tuxedo… his face drained of all color.

The courtroom descended into absolute chaos.

Julian’s lawyers furiously flipped through their copies of the affidavit. When they saw Maya’s signature at the bottom, their faces turned ash white.

“This is a lie!” Julian screamed, leaping to his feet. “Maya would never—she’s my wife! She has spousal privilege!”

“Spousal privilege does not apply to ongoing criminal conspiracies, Mr. Vance,” the judge banged her gavel hard. “Order in this court! Sit down immediately!”

Julian was hyperventilating. He turned to look at the gallery, searching for Maya. But her seat was empty. She was already on a flight to Aspen, having secured her immunity and abandoned him to the wolves.

“Your Honor,” David continued smoothly. “The affidavit includes offshore account numbers matching the exact amounts missing from Vance Communications' European division. The FBI’s white-collar division was provided this exact file three hours ago. I believe they are currently executing a search warrant at Mr. Vance’s office.”

Julian collapsed into his chair. The fight completely left his body. The arrogant billionaire was gone, replaced by a terrified, cornered animal.

“Furthermore,” David said, driving the final nail into the coffin. “Under Clause 7 of the Vance Family Trust, any beneficiary found guilty of defrauding the company forfeits all remaining minority shares back to the controlling proxy. My client, Clara.”

The judge reviewed the documents in silence for what felt like an eternity. Finally, she looked up.

“Mr. Vance,” the judge said, her voice dripping with disgust. “Based on this evidence, I am granting the emergency restraining order. You are not to come within five hundred feet of Clara or her son. Your petition for custody is denied with extreme prejudice. And I highly suggest you retain criminal counsel.”