Chapter 43 43

Chapter 43 43
Chapter 43

Sonia was devastated when she learned what happened. Without wasting a second, she rushed to the university with Fabian. Her steps turned into a half-run as she stormed toward the building where Vladimir’s adviser’s office was located.

When they arrived, Fabian flung the door open. Inside, they saw France, Themarie, and Victor already present.

“What the hell were you thinking, Themarie?!” Sonia barked, eyes blazing. “Why did you come here and cause this mess?!”

Tears welled up in Themarie’s eyes as she stammered, “I-I just missed Vladimir... I just wanted to see him...”

“I only wanted to talk to him,” she sobbed in front of the school director and adviser, trying to look pitiful.

The adviser stepped forward, clearly tense as the situation escalated. Sonia, ignoring them, immediately walked to France who was sitting silently on the sofa. There was a smear of dried blood on his collar and a patch on his cheek.

“Honey,” Sonia whispered, crouching in front of him. Vladimir sat curled in a corner nearby, quietly weeping.

“I’m sorry,” Themarie continued with fake remorse. “I just couldn't stop myself from wanting to see Vladi—”

Sonia suddenly laughed—sharp, bitter. Still kneeling beside France, she looked up, then stood. Her eyes, cold and piercing, locked on Themarie, who faltered in her fake sobs.

Then—SMACK!

A loud gasp filled the room as Themarie fell to the floor, clutching her cheek. Even the school director and teacher were stunned.

“You want attention, don’t you?” Sonia said coldly. Before Themarie could react, Sonia grabbed a fistful of her hair, making the woman scream in shock.

Without hesitation, Sonia dragged her out of the office by the hair.

Fabian and Victor rushed out moments later, only to see the two women in the middle of the hallway—Sonia on top of Themarie, stripping her in front of a crowd.

“Sonia!” Fabian shouted.

Teachers, staff, students, and even some parents were now gathered around, phones raised, taking photos and videos.

“How dare you use my children just to gain attention?!” Sonia shouted, pulling at Themarie's blouse. “You wanted a show? I’ll give you one!”

She was furious, scratching and slapping, entirely unfazed by the pain she was enduring in return. Themarie clawed at Sonia’s arms, but Sonia didn’t let up.

“You stole my husband! You abused my son! And now you’re crying, pretending to be the concerned mother? You filthy liar! Manipulative whore!”

By the time Fabian finally reached them, Themarie was down to her bra and underwear, sobbing in humiliation. Fabian grabbed Sonia and pulled her away, but she struggled violently.

“Let go of me!” Sonia screamed.

“You’re bleeding! Look at your arms—stop this!” Fabian cried.

“I don’t care about my body!” Sonia shrieked.

Her eyes locked with his, furious and shattered. And then, her voice broke. Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed into sobs.

“You don’t know what they did to me! You don’t know how they destroyed me!” she screamed, pounding her fists against his chest. “They ruined my life!”

She broke down like a child, trembling and inconsolable.

“When we had that car accident... he left us! That bastard drove drunk and left me and our son in that burning car!”

Sonia’s voice cracked even more. “I saw him run... He ran and left our baby in the backseat! Then they locked me in a room for years—to hide me because of how I looked!”

“They all blamed me for what happened! I didn’t do anything wrong! I saved my son! And this is how they repaid me, Fabian—was that fair?!”

“I watched Victor and Themarie making out in the car from my window! My best friend and my husband!” she cried. “And they told Vladimir never to visit me... because there was a ‘monster’ in the room.”

“They told him I left him... but they were the ones who locked me away! Then they kicked me out like trash—after everything I did for them!”

Sonia’s breathing was erratic. “Vladi’s body was covered in bruises... They abused him! They hurt him! And now they’re still trying to take him back... And they hurt France too! How do you expect me to stay calm?!”

Some parents nearby were crying quietly after hearing her outburst. Victor and Themarie, on the other hand, looked like they had been doused in acid, their faces pale with shame and fear.

Victor tried to recover, sneering, “Stop acting like the victim, Sonia. All you ever do is cry.”

But Sonia couldn’t stop anymore. The years of suppression had burst open, and she no longer cared who saw her break.

Fabian dropped to his knees in front of her, wordless, his heart breaking at the sight. He gently lifted her into his arms like a child. Sonia clung to his neck, sobbing uncontrollably.

“We’ll settle this in court, Victor Martinez,” Fabian said coldly as he turned away. “The four of us will see each other again—in court.”

He instructed his manager to take Vladimir home immediately.

Sonia continued crying quietly, burying her face in Fabian’s neck as they left the building. She didn’t stop until they were inside their home.

“I-I’m sorry I yelled at you,” Sonia whispered as Fabian carried her upstairs into their bedroom. She sniffled, barely able to speak through her sobs.

Fabian said nothing, gently laying her down on the bed. He sat at the edge, took a tissue, and tried to wipe her tear-streaked cheeks. But Sonia flinched away.

“Please… talk to me,” she said softly, reaching out and grabbing his wrist.

Fabian met her gaze, holding her eyes for a few seconds. Then he placed his hand on her waist and pulled her into a hug, resting his chin on her shoulder.

“You don’t need to apologize,” Fabian murmured. “You didn’t do anything wrong. If I’m upset right now... it’s not at you.”

Sonia sobbed into his chest, holding him tightly.

“I’m mad at myself... for not being there. For not doing anything while you were suffering,” he whispered. “No matter what I do, I can’t erase the pain they gave you.”

She continued crying in his arms until exhaustion slowly lulled her to sleep. Fabian gently lay her down on the bed, her nose and cheeks flushed red from crying.

“This is beyond my limit, Sonia...” he murmured. “Even if I kill Victor, I know it won’t erase all the pain you’ve been through. It won’t change the past. It won’t erase the fear.”

Fabian raked his hands through his hair, breathing heavily.

Then, the bedroom door creaked open.

He turned and saw France and Vladimir standing at the entrance, waiting silently for permission to enter.

“Come here, boys,” Fabian said.

The two walked in quietly, clearly worried about their mother.

“It’s my fault,” Vladimir said tearfully. “Mom is hurt. because of me.”

“What the heck are you saying?” France snapped. “Did you drive drunk? Did you lie to her or leave her in a fire?!”

Vladimir hiccupped and looked down, then walked to Fabian, who gently pulled him in to sit beside him.

“Your mom is the strongest woman I’ve ever met,” Fabian said. “She never takes advantage of people. She always gives her best.”

Vladimir looked up, eyes wide.

“She’s a great mother and a great wife. And part of being a mother is protecting her children at all costs,” Fabian continued. “She made a choice to save you, Vladimir. Because she loves you.”

“There’s nothing to regret. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“No good parent values anything more than their child’s safety,” he said as he ruffled Vladimir’s hair. “Now, tomorrow morning, when Mommy wakes up, how about we prepare a simple breakfast for her?”

France and Vladimir both nodded, finally smiling a little.

Just then, Fabian’s phone rang. He picked it up and saw Lance’s name flash on the screen. He frowned and answered.

“What is it?”

There was silence... then the sound of a door closing and heavy breathing.

“Fabian,” Lance said. “I just saw Francis. Do you know he’s out of prison?”

Fabian froze. His eyes darted to France, who was wiping Vladimir’s face with a tissue, gently shushing him.

Fabian excused himself and walked onto the veranda.

“Are you sure?” he asked darkly.

“I’m sure. I saw him earlier outside the university,” Lance replied, his voice tinged with panic.

Lance had gone to the university on Fabian’s behalf to speak with the dean and advisers. On his way out, while talking to reporters, he spotted a tall man in the distance. The long hair, the frame, the tattoo covering half his face—there was no doubt in Lance’s mind. It was Francis—Fabian’s twin brother.

The Next Day

Fabian and Sonia met with their lawyer and managers. The atmosphere was tense but hopeful.

“There’s a strong chance we’ll win this case,” the lawyer announced. “If the abuse is proven, not only will the court favor your custody, but the Valencia family may also face criminal charges.”

Sonia gasped, covering her mouth. She glanced at Vladimir and France sitting on the sofa nearby.

France held out a donut. Vladimir shook his head.

“You didn’t eat much this morning. Want me to tell Mom?” France teased.

Vladimir quickly took the donut and took a bite, but anxiety made it hard to swallow.

“Vladimir,” France said gently. The boy paused and looked at him.

“Mom said if you’re not ready, you don’t have to speak. You don’t have to answer anything.”

Vladimir nodded, trembling.

Soon, a staff member entered and told them it was time.

At the courthouse, the Valencia family was already seated. Lance was there too.

“Okay, honey, sit in the middle,” Fabian whispered as he helped Vladimir to his seat.

The boy glanced back at them nervously. Sonia smiled reassuringly. “Everything will be okay.”

“I just want to remind both sides,” the judge began, “this court prioritizes the child’s well-being above all else. I expect full cooperation.”

“Ms. Sanchez,” the judge called to the Valencia’s lawyer.

Sonia braced herself. Fabian gently held her hand. She looked at him and gave a small smile, squeezing his palm—I'm okay.

“The incident involved a car crash,” the lawyer began. “Ms. Sonia and her son, who was four years old back then, were left in the vehicle. Mr. Victor claims he left to get help and was unaware the car would explode. Ms. Sonia sustained third-degree burns.”

“According to household staff, Sonia’s best friend, and her ex-husband, they kept her confined during recovery due to mental instability and the damage to her face.”

Sonia gripped Fabian’s hand tightly. Rage boiled inside her despite expecting the lies.

The lawyer continued, “It was also stated that the child was afraid of his mother, so Victor made the decision to hide Sonia’s condition. Mr. Valencia admits he lied to the child, saying Sonia had moved abroad.”

Media representatives exchanged whispers. Tension in the courtroom was rising.

The fight for truth and justice had begun.