Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
Summer
I walked into the courthouse with my pulse pounding, my hands clenched at my sides as the weight of the moment pressed down on me.
The room was packed, filled with reporters, legal teams, and people waiting for a scandal to unfold.
I could hear the murmurs of the press, whispers of speculation about what today’s ruling would mean.
But none of that mattered to me. All that mattered was Jake.
Peter Hale sat across the courtroom, lounging in his chair like he had already won.
His father sat beside him, his face as cold and unreadable as ever, surrounded by a team of lawyers who looked just as smug as their clients.
They thought this was just another situation they could manipulate, another case where their wealth and influence would make the problem disappear.
Malcolm sat beside me, his presence a steady force, radiating confidence even in the face of uncertainty. He was calm, collected, like he already knew how this was going to end. I wished I felt as sure.
The judge entered, and the murmurs immediately died down. The air in the room turned tense, thick with anticipation. I inhaled slowly, steadying myself as the session began.
Peter’s lawyer spoke first, his voice smooth, measured, spinning a well-crafted lie about how Peter was a man who had made “youthful mistakes” but was now dedicated to turning his life around.
They painted him as a man seeking redemption, a responsible adult ready to provide a stable home for a child in need.
It was disgusting.
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay quiet, but I could feel Malcolm shift beside me. I knew he wanted to tear them apart. But we had proof. We didn’t need to argue.
And then, the moment I had been waiting for.
The video played.
The room fell dead silent.
The footage showed everything—Peter’s aggression, his raised hand, the sheer terror in Jake’s eyes. My own voice filled the room, tense and firm as I stepped between them.
The impact of that moment was undeniable.
Even the most well-paid lawyers in the world couldn’t spin their way out of that.
The judge’s expression hardened, her lips pressing into a firm line. I could feel it happening. The shift. The realization that there was no way Peter Hale could be given custody of a child.
Malcolm, ever the strategist, didn’t stop there.
His legal team stepped forward, presenting damning evidence against the Hale family—documents exposing financial misconduct, political bribery, and a long history of covering up scandals. Every page turned was another nail in the coffin of their power.
Peter’s father sat rigid, his jaw tightening as he realized too late that they weren’t just losing custody of Jake. They were losing everything.
The judge cleared her throat, her voice ringing clear and absolute.
“The court finds that Mr. Peter Hale is unfit to adopt or care for a child, given the evidence presented. His adoption request is denied.”
A wave of relief crashed over me—but the judge wasn’t done.
“In addition,” she continued, her gaze sharp, unwavering, “given the severity of the evidence provided, the court will move forward with an official investigation into Mr. Hale and Mr. Hale Sr. for criminal activities, including child endangerment and obstruction of justice.”
The gavel hit the bench.
Peter’s father went pale.
Peter himself finally lost that arrogant smirk.
The courtroom erupted.
Reporters scrambled, cameras flashing, capturing the moment the untouchable Hale family lost their grip on power. Their lawyers immediately began whispering frantically, trying to salvage something, but it was over.
They weren’t walking out of here free men.
I barely registered the chaos because at that moment, Jake ran to me.
I caught him just as he launched himself into my arms, his little hands gripping my shirt, his body shaking. I held him tightly, pressing my lips to his hair, whispering over and over, “It’s okay. You’re safe. They can’t hurt you.”
And then, Malcolm’s presence.
He stood beside me, silent, watchful. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to.
Jake looked up at him, hesitating for only a second before shuffling closer.
Malcolm reached out, ruffling Jake’s hair.
Jake grinned.
Something inside me broke and healed all at once.
I looked at Malcolm, and he looked back at me.
We weren’t done fighting.
Jake’s adoption process was just beginning—it would take months, maybe longer. But for the first time, I didn’t feel afraid.
Because no matter how long it took, we weren’t doing this alone.