Chapter 44 44

Chapter 44 44

Chapter 44

The Valencia family’s legal team doubled down on their narrative: they claimed Sonia had been the first to cheat and that she had run away from the mansion and never returned. Eventually, they assumed she had died.

Sonia’s expression darkened, but she didn’t interrupt. She sat in silence, waiting for the opposing lawyer to finish speaking.

Some of the long-time household staff of the Valencia mansion, including a few of Sonia’s former friends, were also called to testify. They claimed Sonia had serious temperament issues and was too obsessed with herself.

“We wouldn’t be surprised if she really had mental issues,” one testified.

Victor stood confidently and declared, “I am Vladimir’s father. My marriage to Themarie is legal, and we can give Vladimir a complete family.” Their lawyer presented the marriage certificate, complete with the date and location.

Sonia could only shake her head. She knew the country where Victor and Themarie got married had legalized divorce—and, unsurprisingly, the Valencians had powerful connections there. That explained how they had managed to divorce so quickly. How did she know this? Because it was the same country where she and Victor were married—before the same judge.

Victor also proudly boasted about their talent agency and other business ventures. Sonia cast a disinterested glance in his direction.

She wasn’t impressed by his bragging.

Moments later, Sonia and Fabian’s legal representative was called forward—an esteemed attorney and a close friend of Fabian’s mother. She had flown in from abroad just to take on this case.

“I won’t waste your time, Your Honor,” the lawyer began confidently. “Everything they’ve said so far is a lie.”

She stood up and gave Victor a piercing glare before flashing a composed smile.

“How about we summon the former family doctor of the Valencia household and contact the director of the mental hospital where a certain doctor submitted forged documents to this court—documents falsely claiming that Ms. Sonia, Vladimir’s biological mother, was mentally unstable?”

A hush fell over the courtroom.

The psychiatrist who had claimed to have evaluated Sonia turned pale as the former Valencia family doctor entered the courtroom. Victor muttered a curse under his breath when he saw the man—frail and thin, clearly having been through a lot.

Vladimir’s eyes widened in recognition.

The elderly doctor walked slowly to the witness stand and sat down, his eyes locking on Vladimir with a soft, sad smile.

“I served as the family doctor of the Valencia household for nearly 13 years,” he began. “And yes, I forged Sonia’s medical test results.”

Victor froze. He turned to his mother, but the older woman remained expressionless.

“I was ordered by Madam Valencia to report that Sonia’s burns would never heal and that her appearance would never return to normal,” he continued.

The courtroom gasped.

The doctor pulled out a small audio recorder.

As it played, the room heard the unmistakable voices of Madam Valencia and the doctor discussing Sonia’s condition—alongside Sonia’s own voice, sobbing in the background.

Sonia trembled in her seat.

The lawyer then asked the doctor why he left the Valencia estate.

“Because I couldn’t live with the guilt anymore,” the old man replied, choking back tears. “I witnessed what they did to her. I saw Miss Themarie physically hurt Sonia’s son. I was the one treating the boy’s bruises and cuts.”

The courtroom fell completely silent.

“Miss Themarie abused that child almost every day... It began when he was only six years old.”

The judge visibly tensed. Themarie leapt to her feet, shouting, “That’s not true!”

The lawyer calmly handed over a set of photographs to the judge.

“These were taken on the very day the Martinez family attempted to take Vladimir out of the Valencia mansion, as stated in the custody agreement,” she said. “Your Honor, I guarantee their authenticity. I stake my name and license on it.”

“I was there with Mr. Martinez. I witnessed it myself.”

The judge's expression darkened as he examined the photos.

“Submit these to the police after this session,” he said coldly.

Victor and Themarie looked stunned. Moments later, the judge announced his ruling:

“Full custody is granted to Sonia.”

Sonia stood up, overwhelmed with emotion. She felt like her knees might give out. Fabian quickly supported her.

“No! This can’t be!” Victor shouted. “That evidence isn’t enough! Why don’t we just ask Vladimir who he wants to be with?!”

Themarie hurried toward the boy, followed by Victor, both trying to sway his opinion.

Her mind was in a frenzy—if Vladimir confirmed the abuse, it was the end for them.

She forced a smile and gently grabbed Vladimir’s arm.

“Sweetheart, haven’t I raised you all these years? I took care of you after your mother left. I’ve been like your second mother...”

Vladimir’s entire body trembled in fear as he stared up at Themarie and Victor.

“Step back,” Fabian growled.

He pulled the boy away and pushed Victor aside. France rushed over, her glare burning holes into Themarie.

“You lost this round, Victor,” Fabian said coldly. “Accept it. And expect a warrant of arrest soon. I won’t stop until the last coin in your family’s pocket is gone.”

Victor grabbed Fabian by the collar. “You think taking everything I have makes you the winner?”

Fabian smirked. “You give yourself too much credit.”

“I only take back what trash like you never deserved.”

Victor raised his fist, but Sonia stepped in front of him, blocking the blow.

“Go ahead,” she hissed. “Show the world who you really are.”

Victor hesitated, lowering his hand.

“Don’t take away my rights as his father!” he yelled. “I’m still Vladimir’s biological dad!”

Sonia stared at him with fire in her eyes.

“Then let Vladimir decide if he still wants a father like you.”

She gently placed her hand on her son’s shoulder.

Vladimir looked up at his father.

“I don’t have a father anymore,” he said quietly.

With that, Sonia, Fabian, France, and Vladimir walked past Victor without another word.

Victor let out a roar of rage and kicked a chair, cursing.

That day’s events made headlines across the country. Sponsors dropped Victor and Themarie left and right. Their once-flourishing careers crumbled under the weight of scandal.

Fabian, now fully aware of the danger his children had been in, hired bodyguards to ensure France and Vladimir’s safety at school and beyond.

Slowly, Vladimir began to adjust to his new life in the Martinez mansion.

“Mom’s not home. She’s with Aunt Sophia at a spa,” Fabian said from the living room couch, glancing up from his laptop at Vladimir and France.

The two exchanged looks of concern.

“We need a few materials for Vladimir’s school project,” France said. “The deadline’s tomorrow... and we could use some help.”

Vladimir whispered, “Dad looks busy.”

Fabian sighed, shut the laptop, and stood.

“I’ll go with you—and help with the project too. Let’s give your mom a break today.”

France and Vladimir beamed and ran off to change.

“Hey! I never said you two were coming with me!” Fabian shouted from downstairs, worried. Sonia would kill him if anything happened to one of the kids.

“Don’t get separated, you two,” Fabian warned as they entered the store.

The boys grabbed a shopping basket and made their way to the shelves. Fabian followed closely behind.

“Here’s the list,” Vladimir said, handing France the paper.

“Need help?” Fabian offered.

“We’re big boys now, Dad. We got this,” France insisted.

As they wandered through the aisles, France got annoyed.

“Where’s the pentel pen?”

“I saw it earlier, but I forgot where,” France said, scratching his head.

“It’s on the third shelf to the right, beside the pens,” Vladimir replied.

Fabian raised an eyebrow, impressed.

“Forget the pen for now. We’ve got the cartolina and illustration board. We’ll end up back here again anyway,” Vladimir added.

France grabbed the supplies.

“You have a great memory,” Fabian commented.

“I just happened to see it earlier,” Vladimir replied shyly.

After shopping, Fabian treated them to ice cream. He carried the bags while the boys walked excitedly toward a small parlor.

Disguised with a cap and face mask, Fabian led them to the counter.

“Pick your flavors.”

“Chocolate,” Vladimir said.

“Vanilla,” France added.

“And one mango,” Fabian said. He asked the staff if they accepted card payments.

The boys chose a table near the glass wall and sat eagerly. Nearby, some high school students were taking photos of the two adorable kids.

A few minutes later, Fabian arrived with the ice cream. He wasn’t a fan of sweets, but he sat down beside France to join them.

“Here, use some tissue. Your mom will scold you if you go home with ice cream all over your face,” he teased.

“They’re the boys from the newspaper!” whispered a girl at the next table, eyes wide.

The other girl gasped. The man wearing a cap and mask—was it Fabian Martinez?

“Fabian—!” the girl whispered, but her friend clamped a hand over her mouth and dragged her back into her seat.

“Be quiet. If anyone finds out he’s here, this place will go crazy.”

Meanwhile, Fabian wiped the boys’ mouths with a tissue.

“What does it taste like? Let me try,” France asked.

Vladimir happily offered him a spoonful.

Fabian’s phone rang. It was his manager.

“Fabian, have you turned on the TV? Have you seen the news?” the manager asked urgently.

Fabian frowned. “What’s going on?”

At a newly opened restaurant, Sonia sat with Sophia and Amira. They were discussing an upcoming movie release next week. The food wasn’t fancy, nor was the decor anything special—but the dishes were genuinely delicious.

“Ugh, I even contributed to the movie with my costume designs. Why wasn’t I invited?” Sophia complained.

“Only the cast was invited,” Sonia replied with a chuckle. “I only got in because Fabian brought me and the kids.”

“Well, I could take you if you’d like,” Amira offered, fiddling with her fingers. “I don’t want to go alone anyway.”

Sophia squealed and hugged her. “Thank you, sissy! I’ll handle your makeup and outfit! All free!”

Sonia laughed as Amira gently turned her down.

Suddenly, Sonia’s eyes shifted to the small television near the counter. A breaking news alert flashed on the screen.

A bus had lost control and crashed into a police station—it exploded on impact.

Footage showed the station in flames... and among the victims was Themarie.

“Oh my God… is that what I think it is?” Sophia asked, eyes wide.

According to the report, all occupants of the station had perished.

“They’re still identifying the bodies,” the reporter said.

Sonia didn’t even notice the tears falling from her eyes. Her hands trembled. The glass she had been holding slipped and shattered on the table.

“Sonia?” Amira said gently, alarmed.

She and Sophia looked over to see Sonia frozen—her eyes locked on the screen in stunned silence.