Chapter 16 - The Hearing
Roman appeared in court without his wedding ring.
The hearing was remote for me because Dr. Ruiz refused to release me. I appeared from a hospital conference room with Miriam beside me and an IV taped to my arm.
Roman's lawyer argued first.
He described me as distressed, sleep-deprived, medically vulnerable, and influenced by "hostile third parties." He mentioned Claire. Daniel. Marcus. He did not mention forged proxies, tracking devices, or anonymous threats.
Then Roman spoke.
"I love my wife. I am trying to protect her from people exploiting a painful marital situation."
The judge looked at me on the screen.
"Mrs. Carter, do you understand the nature of these proceedings?"
"Yes, Your Honor. My husband wants control of my trust because I blocked a merger he cannot complete without my vote."
Roman closed his eyes briefly.
The judge asked, "Are you currently under medication that affects your judgment?"
"I received pain medication last night. I am not under its effect now. My physician can confirm that."
Dr. Ruiz did.
Miriam then submitted the disputed proxy, the trust agreement, and Roman's emergency filing.
Finally, she asked permission to play sixty seconds of the recording.
Roman's lawyer objected.
The judge allowed it for the limited purpose of evaluating motive.
Roman's own voice filled the courtroom speakers.
She has spent six years staying quiet.
The judge's face changed.
Roman's did not.
That scared me more.
The petition was denied.
The judge also ordered that no trust assets be transferred pending further review.
Roman stared into the camera.
"Savannah," he said before the feed ended, "you have no idea what you've started."
The judge snapped, "Mr. Carter. Enough."
The screen went black.
I exhaled.
Then my body folded around a contraction.
This time there was no question.
Dr. Ruiz checked me and smiled.
"Now we're having a baby."
Everything accelerated.
Nurses moved. Lights changed. Margaret tied back my hair. Miriam packed documents away. Marcus waited outside the unit.
At 1:06 p.m., I heard my daughter's heartbeat through the monitor, fast and steady.
At 1:18, the rhythm suddenly dropped.
May you like
Dr. Ruiz's expression sharpened.
"Savannah, I need you to listen to me. We're moving to the operating room now."
