Part 5: The Ultimate Ruin of Derek
The final divorce hearing took place on a crisp morning in late autumn. The courtroom was closed to the public, but the atmosphere inside was electric with tension.
Simone sat next to Gabrielle, wearing a stunning cream-colored maternity coat that showed off her full, eight-month pregnancy. She looked radiant, strong, and completely at peace.
Across the aisle, Derek sat alone. His high-priced lawyers had abandoned him three weeks prior due to non-payment of fees, leaving him with a public defender who looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. Derek’s hair was unkempt, and his eyes were hollow.
Judge Martha Reynolds, a no-nonsense woman with thirty years on the bench, reviewed the final settlement documents.
"Mr. Rivers," Judge Reynolds said, looking over her glasses at Derek. "The evidence presented against you by the petitioner’s counsel is overwhelming. Not only is there video evidence of severe emotional and physical endangerment toward your pregnant wife, but the financial audit confirms significant dissipation of marital assets to fund an extramarital affair."
Derek didn't look up. He stared at the wooden table.
"Therefore," the judge continued, her gavel poised, "I am granting the dissolution of marriage. Under the amended terms, Simone Rivers is awarded full legal and physical custody of your unborn child. You are denied visitation rights until the child reaches the age of majority, at which point the child may choose to contact you. Furthermore, the Rivers penthouse and the marital estate are awarded solely to the petitioner, along with a lump-sum alimony payment of four million dollars, to be liquidated from your remaining frozen corporate stock options."
Derek let out a soft, broken groan.
"As for Ms. Tiffany Blake," Judge Reynolds added, "the permanent restraining order is upheld. A copy of these proceedings will be forwarded to the State Attorney’s office for potential criminal assault charges regarding the incident on the private aircraft."
Thump.
The gavel fell. It was over.
Simone closed her eyes, letting out a long, shuddering breath. A single tear escaped her eye, but it wasn't a tear of sadness. It was the weight of a year’s worth of pain finally lifting off her chest.
Gabrielle wrapped her arms around her sister, laughing and crying at the same time. "We did it, Simmy. We did it."
As they walked out of the courtroom, Derek intercepted them in the hallway. He looked pathetic, his hands trembling.
"Simone," he whispered, trying to reach out to her.
Before he could get close, a tall, imposing figure stepped between them. Cameron Rivers stood like a fortress, shielding Simone from his brother’s desperate gaze.
"Don't," Cameron said simply.
Derek looked at Cameron, then past him to Simone, who was looking at him with nothing but pity. "Simone... I'm sorry. I lost everything."
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"You didn't lose it, Derek," Simone said, her voice steady and calm. "You threw it away. I hope you find a way to live with that."
She turned and walked down the hallway, her hand resting comfortably on her belly. Gabrielle walked on her left, and Cameron walked on her right, his protective presence never wavering.
