The Bride Widow
Chapter 182 - 180: At last - Part 1

Chapter 182: 180: At last - Part 1

The day of the second court case arrived with a heavy sense of anticipation for everyone involved. Anabella sat in the courtroom, her nerves frayed but her resolve firm.

Across the room, Daniel sat beside his lawyer, who wore an expression of confident detachment.

Daniel’s mother was there too, her presence a constant reminder of the tension that had plagued their relationship.

The judge entered, and the room fell into a respectful silence. The proceedings began with Daniel’s lawyer presenting the new contract terms for the divorce.

His tone was measured and professional, but the words he spoke were anything but considerate.

The terms outlined in the contract were heavily skewed in Daniel’s favor, demanding more financial support from Anabella and several other concessions that seemed unreasonable.

"These terms are fair and equitable, given the circumstances," Daniel’s lawyer stated, his voice ringing with authority.

Anabella’s lawyer, a sharp-eyed beta with years of experience, stood up, her gaze unwavering. "Your Honor, these terms are far from equitable. They are, in fact, harmful and unfair to my client."

The judge, a seasoned alpha with a reputation for fairness, nodded for her to continue. Anabella’s lawyer walked to the center of the courtroom, holding the contract in her hands.

She meticulously broke down each clause, pointing out the glaring disparities and how they disproportionately affected Anabella.

"The financial demands are excessive, Your Honor," she argued. "Not only do they ignore Ms. Anabella’s own financial needs and obligations, but they also impose an undue burden that is not justified by the circumstances of this divorce. Additionally, the clauses concerning property division and custody arrangements are designed to strip my client of her rights and leave her at a significant disadvantage."

The judge’s expression grew increasingly stern as he listened to the arguments. Daniel shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the confidence he had walked in with beginning to erode.

Daniel’s lawyer tried to counter, suggesting that Anabella’s financial stability made these demands reasonable, but the judge was not convinced.

"Mr. Daniel," the judge interrupted, his tone firm, "the court cannot and will not support terms that place one party at an unfair disadvantage.

The purpose of this court is to ensure justice and equity, not to cater to the whims of one party at the expense of another."

The courtroom was silent, the weight of the judge’s words hanging in the air. Daniel’s lawyer sat down, visibly deflated, while Daniel avoided meeting anyone’s eyes.

"After reviewing the evidence and arguments presented," the judge continued, "I find the terms outlined in this contract to be unreasonable and harmful to Ms. Anabella. The court will not enforce these terms."

Anabella felt a wave of relief wash over her. For the first time in a long while, she felt as though the weight pressing down on her was beginning to lift. The judge proceeded to finalize the divorce, ensuring that both parties were left with a fair and just resolution.

"This court hereby grants the divorce between Anabella and Daniel," the judge declared. "Both parties will retain their individual assets, and the financial support will be adjusted to reflect a more equitable distribution."

As the gavel struck, signaling the end of the case, Anabella exhaled deeply. It was over. The long, arduous journey to untangle herself from Daniel and the toxic relationship they had shared had finally reached its conclusion.

Daniel looked defeated, his mother’s face contorted in a mixture of anger and disbelief. Anabella’s lawyer leaned over and whispered, "Congratulations, you’re free now."

Anabella nodded, a small, tired smile gracing her lips. She thanked her lawyer, grateful for the steadfast support throughout the process.

As she left the courtroom, the tension that had gripped her chest for months began to ease. The sun shone brighter, the air felt lighter, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, Anabella felt at peace.

She was the only one who walked out of that courtroom feeling relieved, but she didn’t care. This was her moment of victory, her moment to reclaim her life.

Outside, she took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill her lungs. The future was uncertain, but it was hers to shape now.

And for that, she was grateful. Anabella knew that challenges would still come, but she was ready to face them on her own terms, free from the shadows of her past.

As she walked away from the courthouse, a new Chapter began—a Chapter where Anabella could truly be herself, unshackled from the burdens that had weighed her down for too long.

______

After the court case concluded, Judge Harrison returned to his chambers, his mind still buzzing from the proceedings.

The weight of the case had been significant, and now, with the verdict delivered, he was ready to take a moment to relax. He sank into his chair, loosening his tie and leaning back with a sigh.

Just as he was about to close his eyes and enjoy a brief respite, a knock at the door jolted him upright.

Before he could respond, the door opened, and in walked Clair and Noah, the alpha pair whose reputation preceded them.

Judge Harrison’s eyes widened in surprise, his body tensing slightly at the unexpected visit. He had heard of their influence and power, but he never expected them to show up in his chambers.

Clair was the first to speak, her tone calm but authoritative. "You did a good job today, Judge. The decision was fair and just."

Noah added with a nod, "We appreciate your commitment to justice."

Judge Harrison felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. Being in the presence of the alpha pair was both intimidating and reassuring.

He was relieved to have their approval, knowing that it meant he had handled the case correctly.

But their unexpected appearance also left him feeling unsettled. He wasn’t used to such direct encounters, especially with individuals of their stature.

"Thank you," Judge Harrison managed to say, his voice steady despite his inner turmoil. "I was only doing my duty, ensuring fairness in the courtroom."

Clair and Noah exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable. "We just wanted to personally acknowledge your effort," Clair said. "It’s important to us that justice is served, especially in cases like this."

With that, they turned to leave, leaving Judge Harrison alone once more. He let out a deep breath, his heart rate slowly returning to normal.

Being on the good side of the alpha pair was a relief, but their visit had left him shaken.

Unbeknownst to them, Daniel had been lingering nearby, preparing to confront the judge about the case.

He had hoped to sway the outcome in his favor, but the verdict had been delivered before he could intervene.

Frustrated and desperate, Daniel had followed the judge, looking for an opportunity to speak with him.

As he approached the judge’s chambers, Daniel paused in the shadows, his eyes narrowing as he saw Clair and Noah exiting the room.

His mind raced, piecing together the implications of their presence. What were the alpha pair doing there? What kind of influence did they have over the judge?

A sinister smile curled on Daniel’s lips as the idea took shape. If he could gather evidence of this meeting, he could potentially use it to his advantage.

The thought of having leverage over Clair and Noah was tempting. Daniel saw this as a chance to regain some of the power he had lost in the courtroom.

Quietly, he stepped back, retreating before he could be seen. His mind was already forming a plan, one that involved exploiting this new information.

Daniel knew that dealing with the alpha pair was dangerous, but his desperation and thirst for revenge clouded his judgment. For now, he would bide his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and use what he had witnessed to his advantage.

Clair and Noah stood in a quiet corner of the courthouse, their expressions calm but victorious. They exchanged a knowing glance, the corners of their mouths curving into faint smiles. The plan had gone exactly as they anticipated, and now it was only a matter of time before Daniel would face the consequences.

"Did you see his face when he spotted us leaving the judge’s chambers?" Noah asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Clair nodded, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "He couldn’t resist. We knew he’d try to use this against us. It’s exactly the reaction we expected."

Noah crossed his arms, leaning casually against the wall. "He thinks he’s clever, that he has something on us. But in reality, he’s just walking straight into our trap."

Clair’s expression turned serious, her gaze hardening. "This will be the end for him. He’s already on thin ice after everything he’s done. Now, with this latest attempt to manipulate the system, he’s given us all the ammunition we need."

Noah nodded, his tone resolute. "He won’t see it coming. By the time he realizes, it’ll be too late to salvage anything. This time, he won’t escape accountability."