Chapter 35 Chapter 35
“Where is AD, Mommy?” Aurora asked in her innocent voice.
She looked up at me with those wide, trusting eyes. For her, I forced a smile and leaned down to touch her cheeks. My entire world was falling apart, and I had no choice but to be strong.
I had never been this strong before.
Once, I was my father’s princess, sheltered in his cocoon, until Lucien walked in and destroyed everything for me. He has always snatched away everything close to my heart, and this time, he is after Aurora.
I don’t know what will happen today. I won't be able to survive another heartbreak.
“He went out for some important work, baby,” I told her, trying to keep my voice steady.
Her brows pulled together. “But he didn’t say bye to me.”
The words stabbed deeper than she could ever know. He didn’t say bye to me, either.
“But he told us to wait for him,” I added quickly, brushing her hair back. “He will come back soon.”
He has to. He promised me.
She tilted her head slightly. “Can I talk to him?”
My throat tightened. “If you stay here like a good girl until Mommy returns,” I said carefully, “I’ll try calling him, okay?”
She went quiet as her tiny shoulders slumped.
“Mommy… I don’t feel nice here,” she muttered, pouting her lips. “I want to go home.”
Home.
I hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. I just wanted time to stop right then and there.
“It’s just for today,” I assured her, pulling back. “I will come to pick you up soon.”
I kissed her forehead and stood up before the weight became too heavy and it became impossible for me to leave. I turned around, but before I could take a step, I felt a small tug on my dress.
I turned back. Aurora was holding onto the fabric, her tiny fingers clutching it tightly. Her big eyes looked up at me hopefully.
“Promise you will come for me?”
She lifted her pinky finger toward me. My heart clenched at the sight of it. She has blind faith in me. I was her everything, yet that monster wants to take her away.
I wrapped my little finger around hers and whispered, “Promise.”
Her face brightened just a little, giving me the strength to fight whatever was waiting for me.
\---
Within half an hour, I was standing in the witness box, facing Lucien. Today, he looked more ruthless than ever before. His eyes were filled with pure hunger.
“The court is waiting for the proof that Mr. Adrian promised to deliver. Where is he?” Lucien’s lawyer asked smoothly.
“He met with an accident.”
My eyes shifted to Lucien. One corner of his lips curled upward in a devilish smirk.
I really wanted to kill him at the moment.
“He is in a coma,” I whispered.
Gasps of surprise echoed through the courtroom. Lucien's face remained stoic.
"We are sorry to hear that" the lawyer added, but there was not an ounce of sympathy in his words.
Nevertheless.
I didn't even want it.
“But you are his wife,” he continued. “You should know about the assets he claimed to possess.”
“I don’t know about them,” I said honestly.
“You don’t know… or they don’t exist?” He accused.
I remained silent.
I have no idea, over what assets Adrian made such a huge commitment to.
I don't know anything about it.
“My lord,” Lucien’s lawyer turned toward the judge, “the claims Mr. Adrian made in the previous hearing appear to be completely fabricated. His last known employment was as a loader. There are no registered assets in his name except his home. How could such a man suddenly claim financial stability capable of raising a child?”
I looked straight into Lucien's eyes who was thoroughly enjoying the hearing.
"My lord," I turned my attention to the judge "No amount of wealth can replace a mother's warmth"
Suddenly the entire courtroom felt silent. I could hear my own sharp voice.
"Aurora, needs me more than money or anyone else" I briefly shot a sharp glance at Lucien "I am not only her mother, but her supporter, her well-wishers and a person to whom she runs every time she is scared or needs something"
I breathed.
"I have brought up my daughter alone and still I am capable of providing her with everything she needs."
My jaw clenched.
"And she is under 7. Legally, she belongs to her mother"
I once again looked straight into Lucien's eyes.
He remained calm and the environment remained silent.
After a long minute, he finally spoke for the first time today, "She is right"
My eyebrows drew together in confusion and for a moment I thought I heard something wrong.
But then he slowly turned his head to the judge.
"She has raised Aurora that's why she is dependent on her for everything" he spoke softly "and for the sake of my daughter's happiness I would have let her go only if..."
Lucien's head turned to me as he added, "Only if she was clean to raise my daughter"
My forehead frowned
"If she hadn't sold her dignity in a club for money"
My eyes widened as realization dawned upon me.
"My Lord" the lawyer spoke as he moved forward with a folder towards the judge "here is the proof of Cynthia working as a stripper in a nightclub"
Another wave of gasps was heard in the courtroom. My fingers held the witness box tightly.
How could he do that?
He is now exploiting my helplessness.
The judge went through the photographs and the identity proof.
"My lord, I don't want her influence over my daughter" Lucien said "She is too small to understand the difference between right and wrong"
After inspecting everything, the judge placed the file aside and he turned his head to me.
"Do you have anything to say?"
I swallowed down the emotions choking my throat.
"Yes My Lord" I accepted "I worked as a stripper" My words were barely above a whisper "but it was, just to save the life of my daughter"
Silence.
Deep silence.
I never wanted to reveal this.
I never wanted to use Aurora's illness to win this case but Lucien hasn't left me with any other option.
"I used to run a cafe, saving money for her but the man standing in front of me ruined it"
I let out a shaky breath while Lucien kept staring at me as if he already knew it.
"I needed urgent money for Aurora's surgery"
Lucien didn't even flinch at the mention of it. All I could see was even more anger in his eyes.
Oh! He doesn't care about her.
He just wants to claim her as his possession.
"To save her life, I had to sell a piece of my soul"
I ended with a heavy breath. I didn't have the strength to explain anything anymore. I could already hear the murmurs of sympathy from the audience but I didn't want it.
Once, I get my Aurora, I will start a new life with her, away from all this mess.
"Not to save Aurora's life but to fulfil her own desires" Lucien's voice cut through the silence.
My eyes narrowed at him.
What is he talking about?
"My Lord" he turned his head to the judge "the money used for my daughter's surgery was mine"
And that left me speechless...