Hell Hath no fury like a billionaire's Ex-Chapter 133: The Custody Hearing

Diane’s POV

Two weeks had passed since the home evaluation, and today was the day I’d been both dreading and anticipating—the final custody hearing. I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, adjusting the white blazer I’d chosen for court. Professional, authoritative, but not cold. I needed the judge to see me as the capable mother I’d become, not the broken woman I’d once been.

My hands shook slightly as I fastened my pearl earrings—the ones Noah had given me for our six-month anniversary. They felt like a talisman, a reminder of the love and stability I’d built for myself and my children.

"You’ve got this," I whispered to my reflection, taking a deep breath. "Dylan and Danielle need you to be strong today."

Downstairs, I could hear the gentle sounds of my morning routine being handled by others—Mom cooing softly to the twins, Sophie’s voice as she prepared bottles, the quiet efficiency of the security detail—Peter checking the perimeter. This house had become our sanctuary, and I was determined to protect it.

Mom appeared in my doorway, Danielle cradled in her arms. "You look beautiful, sweetheart," Mom said softly, having returned from her romantic dinner with Dad the night before. Her face glowed with the happiness of reconnecting with him, but I could see the worry lines around her eyes as she looked at me. "Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I’ll ever be," I replied, reaching over to stroke Danielle’s soft cheek. She was growing so fast, already showing more personality each day. The thought of Liam having any claim to her, to either of them, made my stomach clench with protective fury.

"Remember what we discussed," Mom said gently. "You have truth on your side. You have evidence. Most importantly, you have love—real, unconditional love for those babies."

I nodded, kissing Danielle’s forehead before gathering my purse and the thick folder of documents Joan and I had prepared. The evidence against Liam was overwhelming—financial fraud, emotional instability, substance abuse. But presenting it in court, watching it destroy whatever remained of the man I’d once loved, felt like a necessary evil that still broke my heart.

Sophie bounced Dylan gently in the living room, her usual dramatic flair replaced by genuine concern. "Text us updates, okay? And Diane..."I’ve got everything under control here," she assured me. "The babies will be perfectly safe with us and the security detail."

The words meant more to me than she could know.

I nodded, grateful beyond words for my family’s support. Noah was waiting by the car, his presence immediately calming my nerves.

Having insisted on accompanying me to court despite my protests that he didn’t need to witness this painful Chapter of my life.

"Good morning, beautiful," he said softly, pulling me into his arms. "How are you feeling?"

"Terrified," I admitted against his chest. "But determined."

"That’s all you need to be."

As we prepared to leave, Mom called out from the upstairs window, "Diane! Make sure you call your father to join you at court, just in case you need anything."

I nodded up at her, grateful for the reminder. Dad’s presence would be another anchor of strength, and given his role in exposing Liam’s financial crimes, he might need to be there anyway.

The drive to the courthouse felt surreal. I watched the familiar streets of the city pass by, thinking about how much my life had changed since the last time I’d made this journey. Then, I’d been fighting for my freedom from a marriage that almost shattered me. Now, I was fighting for my children’s future.

My phone rang, breaking through my anxious thoughts.

"Joan?"

"Diane, where are you? I’m about five minutes from the courthouse."

"We’re almost there too. Noah and the security detail are with me."

"Perfect. Henry’s with me—he wanted to be here for moral support and in case his testimony about the financial evidence is needed."

Relief flooded through me. Having both Joan and Henry there felt like having an army at my back.

"Joan," I said, my voice catching slightly, "thank you. For everything. I couldn’t have done any of this without you."

"We’re family," she replied simply. "We protect each other."

After hanging up, I immediately dialed Dad’s number.

"Hello, sweetheart. Today’s the day."

"Dad, could you come to the courthouse? Mom suggested it, and I... I think I need you there."

"I’m already in my car," he said without hesitation. "I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Diane, remember—you’re not alone in this. You have an entire family who loves you and those babies unconditionally."

His words steadied me, reminding me that whatever happened in that courtroom, Dylan and Danielle would always be surrounded by love and protection. novelbuddy-cσ๓

The courthouse steps felt like climbing a mountain. Reporters had gathered again, though fewer than at the hospital. The flashing cameras and shouted questions faded into background noise as I focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

Inside, the familiar courtroom felt different today—more charged, more final. This wasn’t about compelling signatures or temporary arrangements. This was about the rest of my children’s lives.

Joan was already at our table, her briefcase open and documents organized with military precision. Henry sat behind her in the gallery, offering me an encouraging nod as I took my seat.

Across the aisle, Liam sat with Holbrook. Even from a distance, I could see how much he’d changed. His expensive suit couldn’t hide the weight he’d lost, the hollow look in his eyes, the slight tremor in his hands that spoke of too much alcohol and too little sleep. This wasn’t the confident, manipulative man I’d divorced. This was someone who looked... broken.

For a moment, my heart clenched with unexpected pity. Whatever he’d done, however he’d hurt me, seeing him like this was painful in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Dad slipped into the gallery behind me just as Judge Thompson entered. His presence felt like a warm hand on my shoulder, steady and reassuring.

"All rise," the bailiff announced.

Judge Thompson took his seat, surveying the room with the same measured expression I remembered from our previous encounters.

"We’re here today for the final custody hearing in the matter of Evans v. Ashton," he began. "Before we proceed with arguments, I have one preliminary matter. Mr. Ashton, have you signed the divorce papers as ordered by this court?"

Liam stood slowly, his voice barely audible. "Yes, Your Honor. I signed them."

"Good. The divorce is therefore finalized." Judge Thompson made a note on his papers. "Now, we’ll proceed to the custody matter. Ms. Hand, you may begin."

Joan rose with the confidence of someone who knew she held all the winning cards. "Thank you, Your Honor. My client, Diane Evans, seeks sole custody of her twin children, Dylan and Danielle. Mr. Ashton’s behavior over the past months has demonstrated that he is unfit to care for minor children."

She moved to the evidence table, her movements precise and purposeful. "Your Honor, we have extensive documentation of Mr. Ashton’s recent conduct that raises serious concerns about his fitness as a parent."

Holbrook shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and I noticed him glancing at Liam with what looked like confusion and growing alarm.

"First," Joan continued, "we have evidence of significant financial crimes." She placed several documents before the judge. "Mr. Ashton has been systematically hiding marital assets in offshore accounts in Panama. He has siphoned money from both joint marital accounts and from his company’s accounts without authorization."

Liam’s face went pale, but he remained silent.

"We also have evidence of Mr. Ashton’s increasingly violent and unstable behavior." Joan approached the evidence table again. "These are security camera recordings from Mr. Ashton’s residence, provided by one of his own security personnel."

My heart pounded as Joan set up the laptop to play Anthony’s videos. Even though I’d seen them before, watching them again in this sterile courtroom setting made them even more disturbing.

The first video began playing—Liam in his living room, pacing frantically before exploding into rage, punching the walls until his knuckles bled. The sound of his screaming, even through the courtroom’s speakers, made several people in the gallery flinch.

"This behavior has escalated over the past several months," Joan explained as the video continued. "Mr. Ashton has been consuming alcohol heavily and regularly, has destroyed property in violent rages, and has created an environment that would be dangerous for children."

Holbrook leaned over to whisper something urgently to Liam, who just shook his head, looking defeated.

Joan played two more videos—one showing Liam stumbling drunk through his house, knocking over furniture, and another showing him screaming at invisible enemies while throwing glassware against the walls.

"Additionally," Joan continued, "the social services report from Mr. Ashton’s home visit noted the smell of alcohol throughout the residence and concerns about basic safety measures."

Judge Thompson was taking careful notes, his expression growing more serious with each piece of evidence.

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on free(w)ebnovel(.)com