Six weeks later, the downtown Dallas Family Courthouse was filled with high-profile corporate attorneys, reporters, and private security detail. Evelyn sat at the defense table wearing an orange correctional jumpsuit, her styled hair unkempt and her face devoid of makeup.
Beside her sat her high-priced defense attorney, who looked visibly stressed as he flipped through a thick binder of court documents.
Across the room, Marcus sat calmly in a dark suit, accompanied by his chief corporate counsel, Arthur Pendelton. In the back row of the gallery, Martha sat proudly wearing a neat floral dress, holding little Leo on her lap.
Judge Montgomery: "This court is now in session to hear the emergency motion regarding the invalidation of spousal support and asset division in the matter of Vance v. Vance."
Evelyn's Lawyer: "Your Honor, my client has not yet been convicted in criminal court. Terminating her access to the marital estate and freeze-framing her credit accounts violates her constitutional rights prior to trial!"
Arthur Pendelton: "Your Honor, section fourteen of the signed prenuptial agreement explicitly states that any act of domestic violence or child endangerment committed by either party results in an immediate, total forfeiture of all marital claims, alimony, and trust fund distributions."
Evelyn's Lawyer: "Those are mere allegations supported by an interested maid's testimony!"
Arthur Pendelton: "We submit Exhibit A, Your Honor: full high-definition video files captured by the home security system, showing the defendant dragging the eight-month-old infant and physically assaulting the staff."
Arthur submitted a black USB drive to the court clerk. Judge Montgomery inserted the drive into her bench monitor, watching the footage in complete silence for three agonizing minutes. Her brow furrowed, and her expression turned icy cold.
Judge Montgomery: "I have seen enough."
Evelyn: "Your Honor, I was experiencing severe postpartum stress!"
Judge Montgomery: "Mrs. Vance, you are not the biological mother of this child. Do not insult the intelligence of this court."
Judge Montgomery adjusted her glasses, looking sternly down at Evelyn.
Judge Montgomery: "The evidence of cruelty and breach of contract is overwhelming. Pursuant to the enforceability of the prenuptial agreement, all financial support is hereby terminated immediately. You will receive zero dollars from the Vance estate."
Evelyn: "No! That's not fair! I spent two years of my life with him!"
Judge Montgomery: "Furthermore, a permanent restraining order is hereby issued. You are barred from coming within one thousand yards of Marcus Vance, his child, or Martha Jenkins for the remainder of your natural life."
The judge slammed her wooden gavel down onto the desk with a sharp, resounding bang.
Evelyn broke into hysterical sobs as the bailiffs grabbed her arms, leading her back toward the holding cell to await her upcoming criminal trial.