He didn’t answer.
Because there was no good answer.
The hearing was set for three weeks later.
Vanessa showed up looking like a saint—soft makeup, conservative dress, tears in her eyes.
She testified that she’d been in therapy.
That she’d gotten help.
That she’d never stopped loving her boys.
That Adrian had stolen them from her.
Her lawyer painted her as a victim.
And painted Adrian as a controlling man who’d turned his sons against their mother.
Then they called me to the stand.
I swore to tell the truth.
And Vanessa’s lawyer smiled.
“Miss Carter, how long have you known the Vale family?”
“Six months.”
“And you have no professional training as a nanny, correct?”
“Correct.”
“In fact, you lied to get the job.”
My throat tightened.
“I was desperate.”
“Desperate enough to manipulate a grieving family?”
“Objection,” Adrian’s lawyer said.
“Sustained.”
But the damage was done.
The lawyer continued.
“Miss Carter, are you in love with Adrian Vale?”
The courtroom went silent.
I looked at Adrian.
His eyes were on me, steady, afraid, hopeful.
And I realized something I’d been too terrified to admit.
“Yes,” I whispered.
Vanessa’s face twisted.
The lawyer smiled.
“And how long have you been sleeping in the same house as him and his children?”
“That’s not—”
“Answer the question.”
“Six months.”
“How convenient.”
Adrian’s lawyer stood.
“Your Honor, this is irrelevant—”
“It’s absolutely relevant,” Vanessa’s lawyer said. “Because it shows that Miss Carter is not a caregiver. She’s a woman who inserted herself into this family for personal gain.”
“That’s a lie,” I said.
“Is it? You needed money. Adrian Vale has money. You needed a place to stay. He gave you one. And now you’re claiming to love him—”
“I do love him.” My voice broke. “I love him and I love those boys and I would die before I let anyone hurt them.”
The courtroom froze.
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears.
“She’s turned them against me,” she whispered.
“No,” I said. “You did that yourself.”
The judge banged her gavel.
“That’s enough.”
