Chapter 39 In the Name of Love
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The judge looked at Felix and nodded. “Counsel for the plaintiff, please proceed.”
Felix stood up, his demeanor calm and composed. “My client has been married to the defendant for many years and they have a four–year–old son. Over the course of their marriage, the defendant has repeatedly engaged in inappropriate relationships with others. Just half a month ago, there was a fire at the kindergarten where my client’s child was attending. My client sustained injuries while attempting to save the child. However, the defendant, instead of helping, chose to prioritize rescuing someone else, leaving my client to fend for herself, which nearly led to her death. These are the circumstances that have led us to believe that the marriage is irreparably broken, with no hope for reconciliation.”
As he spoke, Felix handed over the report on the fire and Abigail’s injury to the judge.
The judge, a middle–aged woman in her forties, frowned slightly as she reviewed the documents.
Seeing the unfavorable turn of events, Anthony quickly glanced at his lawyer, signaling him to act.
The defense lawyer immediately rose to counter.
“First of all, my client has maintained an impeccable reputation
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throughout their marriage. He has never had any inappropriate. relationships with others. The person the plaintiff refers to as ‘someone else‘ is, in fact, my client’s mother’s adopted daughter, who, in a sense, is also his sister. As for the fire that occurred half a month ago, it was my client’s sister who was injured while rescuing the child. Given the circumstances, my client had to make a split–second decision and chose to save the person with a higher chance of survival. Afterward, he immediately called for professional help, and firefighters rescued the plaintiff. Therefore, we contend that this cannot be used as evidence of a broken marriage.”
The lawyer paused for a moment, then continued.
“My client has worked tirelessly throughout the years, shouldering the financial responsibilities of the family. Considering the plaintiff’s health issues, he has never pressured her to work and has even hired a full–time nanny to care for their child. The household expenses and savings have been entirely supported by my client’s hard work. Despite this, the plaintiff now seeks to divide the assets. We believe this demand is completely unreasonable and ask that the judge deliver a fair and just ruling.”
As the lawyer spoke, Abigail’s gaze remained fixed on Anthony.
His face betrayed no emotion, though there was a faint, almost smug look in his eyes.
She couldn’t help but feel a sense of bitter irony. He had used the guise of love to drive the knife deeper into her back, and it seemed sharper than ever.
Chapter 39 In the Name of Love
Felix, ready to stand and respond, was suddenly halted by a gentle pull on his sleeve.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, turning toward Abigail.
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Abigail’s eyes met his, filled with determination. “I’ll handle the
rest.”
Felix paused for a moment, reading the resolve in her gaze. Slowly, he sat back down, trusting her to handle the next steps.
The atmosphere in the courtroom shifted, and Abigail could feel the weight of the moment. This wasn’t just a legal battle–it was the first time she would truly stand up for herself.
Abigail stood up, her gaze steady and unwavering as she addressed the judge. “Your Honor,” she began, her voice calm yet firm, “may I ask you a question?”
The judge, momentarily taken aback, looked at Abigail with curiosity. Before the judge could respond, Abigail continued.
“Tell
me, is
is it not true that every mother wants to keep her child close? The defendant claims that I never took care of my child, but the truth is, it wasn’t me who chose to distance myself from my son. It was my husband’s mother who found endless excuses to take my child away from me and place him in the care of that woman with whom my husband has a questionable relationship. As a mother, I had no choice but to watch helplessly as my child grew closer to someone else.”
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Abigail paused, her voice tight as the memory of the fire resurfaced. “And half a month ago, during the fire, I was injured trying to save him. But despite all that, my son didn’t even give me a second glance. He wasn’t worried about me.”
She could feel the heat in her cheeks, and her hands clenched at her sides as she continued, bitterness lacing her words, “My son and his father, right in front of me, were more concerned about another woman. And to hear my husband justify it by calling her his ‘adopted sister,‘ as if that somehow made it okay…?” She let out a hollow laugh, the kind that had no joy in it.
“When I woke up in the hospital, after nearly dying, the first words I heard weren’t from my husband or my child. No, it was my son saying he didn’t like me as his mother and wanted that woman to be his mother instead. My husband, who couldn’t even be bothered to bring me food when I was recovering, told me to go to the cafeteria myself if I was hungry. And my husband’s mom? She told me I was a burden and that she regretted ever letting me into their family.”
Abigail spoke flatly, almost dispassionately, as if the years of hurt had stripped her of any remaining emotional response.
The room fell into stunned silence. The judge, a middle–aged woman with a compassionate face, gazed at Abigail with sympathy, clearly moved by the painful truth she had just revealed.
Felix, watching from his seat, knew exactly what was happening. He had seen the depth of her pain before, but now, it was undeniable.
Chapter 39 In the Name of Love
Abigail’s raw honesty was the kind of thing that could shake even the most hardened hearts.
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He had always known Abigail must have had her reasons for seeking a divorce, but he hadn’t realized just how much she had endured over the years.
This–what she was sharing now–was only the tip of the iceberg.
Abigail pressed on, her voice unwavering as she turned back to the judge.
“If this doesn’t constitute emotional abandonment, if this isn’t proof of a broken marriage, then I must ask everyone here- what exactly is love? What is a relationship supposed to be?”
She looked toward Anthony’s side of the room, her eyes locking onto his. “You mentioned earlier that everything in the house, every expense, was covered by the husband’s earnings. You even hired a nanny so I wouldn’t have to take care of the child, and yet, now you accuse me of wanting to take half the assets? But Anthony, don’t you remember? Who was it that you begged to give up her own promising career for you? Who was it that you said needed to stay at home and focus on her health, because you ‘cared for her‘? You told me that behind every successful man is a woman who takes care of everything at home. Who said I was supposed to be your ‘backbone“?”
The weight of those old promises hung heavy in the air. What had once been sweet vows now felt like daggers to Abigail.
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But instead of feeling sorry for herself, she felt only bitterness and a bitter self–awareness that perhaps, she was the one who had been blind all these years.
Abigail’s sharp words left Anthony and his lawyer speechless.
The courtroom, tense with the emotional charge, was unnervingly quiet.
Anthony’s lawyer, unable to respond, looked down, unsure of what to say. Anthony shot his lawyer a furious look.
Finally, Anthony stood up, his voice rising in agitation.
“Why do you insist on making yourself the victim? When I sent the child to my mother’s, it wasn’t because you didn’t want to take care of him. It was because of your complications after childbirth–I didn’t want you to wear yourself out.” His words. grew more defensive, his tone laced with frustration. “And as for what you said earlier, I admit I told you I needed a ‘backbone,‘ but in all these years, haven’t I given you everything? Whatever you wanted, I’ve bought for you! Your family’s business is only still alive because of my company’s help. You’ve benefited from me more than you realize!”
Abigail’s eyes were cold, unflinching, as she looked at him. He was standing now, pacing, clearly growing agitated.
“I know you’re upset because of Michelle,” he continued, his voice rising. “But let me tell you, there’s nothing between us! She’s like a sister to me! We’ve known each other since
Chapter 39 In the Name of Love
childhood. If there had been anything, it would’ve happened long ago. But no, you’re the one who came along last–what could you possibly have to complain about?”
Abigail’s lips curled into a thin smile, but it was bitter and empty. She’d heard this excuse a hundred times before.
The tension in the room grew thick, and the judge finally intervened, her voice cutting through the rising discord.
“Please, both of you, calm down. This court requires order.”
