Chapter 4
1150 Words
But before either of them could take another step, Adrian’s phone vibrated in his hand. The sudden interruption felt almost intrusive, as though reality was refusing to give him even a moment to process everything that had just changed.
He glanced at the screen and frowned.
It was an unknown number.
For a brief second, Adrian considered ignoring it. His mind was already overwhelmed with the thought of his mother lying in a hospital bed, the revelation about the herbs, and the strange possibility of winning the lottery.
But something told him to answer.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Adrian Cole?” a calm, professional voice asked from the other end.
“Yes.”
“This is Beaumont & Partners Legal Office. You are required to appear at the district court this afternoon regarding the final hearing of your divorce with Mrs. Vanessa Beaumont.”
Adrian’s brows drew together slightly. “I thought it was scheduled for next week.” Or never scheduled at all. He wanted to add but held himself.
Who would have believed that Vanessa, the wife of his youth, would do this to him? Adrian never believed until now.
“It has been moved forward. Failure to appear may result in a default judgment.”
The line went dead before he could respond.
“Brother?” Clara called softly. “Who was that?”
Adrian simply stood there, staring at his phone. His knuckles were pale from how tightly he held the phone.
Clara noticed immediately. Her eyes widened. “What happened?”
“Sister…” Adrian exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm despite the betrayal on his chest. “The hearing has been moved,” he said quietly. “It’s today.”
“What do you mean?” Clara frowned.
“Vannesa is leaving me.”
“What?! Why? But Mom…”
Adrian’s gaze instinctively drifted toward the hospital room where their mother lay unconscious, fighting for her life. If Clara thought Vannesa was kind… then she was silly too. Vannesa had always been this cruel, but they'd never noticed because of how tolerant Adrian was.
“I’ll go,” he said finally.
___________________________
The courtroom felt colder than Adrian remembered, not because of the air conditioning, but because of the atmosphere that surrounded it.
Adrian sat on one side, alone.
Across from him sat Vanessa.
She looked flawless, as always—her hair perfectly styled, her outfit expensive and elegant, and her posture composed.
There was no trace of distress or sadness on her face. Instead, she looked mildly irritated, as though this entire situation was nothing more than an inconvenience.
Adrian couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Beside her sat her lawyer with a thick file resting on the table.
Adrian, on the other hand, had no one to represent him. Nothing but himself—and the necklace in his pocket, which his fingers unconsciously tightened around.
When the judge entered, everyone stood before taking their seats again.
“This is the case of Vanessa Beaumont versus Adrian Cole,” the judge began, adjusting his glasses as he reviewed the documents before him. “A petition for divorce and division of assets.”
Adrian's eyes widened. Division of assets? When—
“Are both parties present?” The judge lifted his gaze toward them.
Vanessa’s lawyer nodded. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Adrian inclined his head slightly. “Yes.”
The judge gave a small nod. “We will proceed.”
Vanessa let out a quiet scoff, crossing her legs. “I still can’t believe I was dragged out for this,” she muttered under her breath.
Though Adrian and probably everyone seated behind him heard.
Dragged out? Adrian's jaw ticked. Why was Vannesa being so difficult?
The judge glanced at her briefly. “Mrs. Beaumont, you will have the opportunity to speak.”
She smiled faintly. “Of course.”
Her tone, however, carried no sincerity.
Vanessa’s lawyer began presenting the case methodically as he outlined her demands. She sought full dissolution of the marriage, complete control of the marital assets, and ownership of the house Adrian had once believed was their home.
Adrian listened, hiding his hands that curled slightly under the table.
He had paid for that house. Every single part of it had come from his effort, sacrifices, and sleepless nights.
Yet now, it was being discussed as though it had never belonged to him at all.
“Additionally,” the lawyer continued, “we will present evidence of inappropriate behavior and emotional instability from Mr. Cole, which has made the marriage untenable.”
Adrian’s head lifted sharply.
Emotional instability? When was that?
The judge turned toward him. “Do you have legal representation, Mr. Cole?”
Adrian shook his head. “No, Your Honor.”
“Then you may speak on your own behalf when necessary.”
Adrian nodded once.
Then the judge gestured toward Vanessa. “Mrs. Beaumont, your statement.”
Vanessa's expression softened into something that almost resembled concern, but Adrian could already see through it.
“I didn’t want things to end this way,” she began gently. “I really didn’t.”
“But Adrian has always been… insecure.”
“He constantly questioned me,” she continued. “Where I went, who I spoke to, even my work meetings. It became exhausting.”
“That’s not true,” Adrian croaked.
Vanessa raised her hand slightly. “Please, let me finish. I’m only trying to be honest.”
Immediately, the Judge gestured for Adrian to remain silent.
Vanessa sighed softly. “He never felt like he was enough, and I tried to reassure him, but there’s only so much one person can do.”
Then she looked directly at him. “You remember how you used to ask me not to mention certain things?” she added.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “Vanessa…”
“Oh, don’t worry,” she said lightly. “I won’t embarrass you too much.”
But she already was.
“You didn’t like it when I talked about how you struggled financially before we met or how you compared yourself to my colleagues.
A sick feeling settled deep in Adrian's chest.
“I asked you not to bring that up because it was private,” Adrian said tightly.
Vanessa tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. “See? You’re being defensive again.”
Then, just like that, her expression hardened.
“My younger sister, Rose, came to visit,” she said icily.
“She trusted him,” Vanessa continued, turning toward the judge. “She saw him as family.”
“Vanessa, don’t—”
“But instead of acting like one,” she cut in sharply, “he tried to take advantage of her. He r***d her.”
The words dropped into the courtroom like a bomb.
Adrian felt the air leave his lungs.
- Writer
