Chapter 8 - The Final Judgement
The divorce hearing was a brief, brutal formality.
Because Mark had signed the settlement agreement, the judge simply had to review the terms and finalize the decree.
Mark stood before the judge without a lawyer, as he couldn't afford to hire a new one after his first attorney quit.
He looked hollowed out, a pathetic shadow of the arrogant man who used to scoff at my concerns.
The judge, a stern older woman, reviewed the evidence of his neglect and the financial fraud.
"Mr. Evans, I have rarely seen a more despicable breach of trust in my courtroom," the judge stated loudly.
"You neglected your young child, defrauded your wife, and maintained a second household using her earnings."
Mark kept his head down, staring at the floorboards, unable to speak.
"Full custody is awarded to the mother. Visitation will be strictly supervised, assuming the mother even permits it," the judge declared.
"Furthermore, you are ordered to repay the $60,000 misappropriated for the fraudulent lease."
Mark finally looked up, panic written all over his face. "Your Honor, I don't have a job! I can't pay that!"
"Then I suggest you find employment very quickly, Mr. Evans, or you will find yourself held in contempt of court," the judge snapped.
The gavel banged against the wooden block, sounding like a gunshot.
It was over.
I was officially free from the dead weight I had been dragging around for six years.
I walked out of the courtroom with my head held high, breathing in the crisp air of true freedom.
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Mark tried to call my name as I walked down the courthouse steps, but I didn't even turn around.
He no longer existed in my world.
