Chapter 8 - Gregory Tried to Take My Daughter—So I Walked Into Court With the Evidence That Could Destroy Him
The custody hearing became national news.
Gregory's lawyers painted Alina as unstable.
A woman who had disappeared.
A woman protected by a criminal.
A woman who had abandoned her child.
Alina listened without reacting.
Dominic sat behind her.
He didn't interfere.
This was her battle.
The judge asked:
“Ms. Mercer, why should I grant you custody?”
Alina stood.
“Because I never abandoned my daughter.”
She looked at Gregory.
“Someone stole her from me.”
Gregory's lawyer objected.
The judge allowed her to continue.
Alina submitted the original medical records.
Then the clinic payments.
Then the adoption documents.
Then Gregory's financial notes describing the plan.
Finally, Dominic's investigators produced evidence connecting the forged records to Vescari.
The courtroom went silent.
Gregory stared at Alina.
“You don't understand.”
She looked at him.
“I understand everything.”
He whispered:
“You'll destroy our daughter.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“I am finally protecting her.”
The judge ordered an investigation.
Gregory's custody claim collapsed.
Vescari's involvement triggered another criminal case.
Lily was placed temporarily with Alina.
The first night, she slept in the room next to hers.
Alina sat beside the bed for hours.
Dominic stood in the doorway.
“You can sleep.”
“I've waited 8 years.”
“I know.”
“I don't want to close my eyes.”
He entered.
“She isn't going anywhere.”
Alina looked at him.
“You don't know that.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm not Gregory.”
She smiled.
“You're much more frightening.”
“That's true.”
She laughed.
He sat beside her.
“Alina.”
“Yes?”
“There's something I need to tell you.”
Her expression changed.
“What?”
“I knew about your husband before I approached the diner.”
“What do you mean?”
“I had been watching him for months.”
“Because of the ledger?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you choose me?”
He was silent.
“Dominic.”
“I saw you once.”
“When?”
“Three months before the divorce.”
She frowned.
“Where?”
“At a restaurant.”
“I don't remember.”
“You were sitting alone.”
“What were you doing?”
“Fixing Gregory's numbers while he talked to a client.”
She smiled faintly.
“You were watching me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you looked exhausted.”
Her smile disappeared.
“You didn't know me.”
“No.”
“Then why care?”
His gaze softened.
“Because I knew what it looked like when someone was being used.”
She swallowed.
“And?”
“And I couldn't stop thinking about you.”
She looked at him.
“That sounds like love.”
“Yes.”
The word frightened her.
But she didn't run.
She leaned forward.
He kissed her.
Then Lily stirred.
They separated.
The little girl opened her eyes.
“Are you guys getting married?”
Alina nearly choked.
Dominic laughed.
“Not tonight.”
Lily frowned.
“Why not?”
Alina smiled.
“Because he hasn't asked.”
Dominic looked at her.
“That can be corrected.”
The next week, he proposed.
No diamonds the size of rocks.
No private jet.
No hundred guests.
Just the three of them at the kitchen table.
He put a small ring in Alina's palm.
“I know you have been told for a long time that your life belongs to other people.”
She looked at him.
“I want you to know something.”
He took her hand.
“Your life is yours.”
Then he smiled.
“But I'd like to be invited into it.”
Alina cried.
“Yes.”
Lily screamed.
“I knew it!”
Dominic laughed.
“You planned this?”
Lily nodded.
“Mommy needs someone nice.”
Alina looked at Dominic.
“I guess you're officially under review.”
“Terrifying.”
They laughed.
For the first time, the laughter in the house felt real.
Then Matteo called.
“Boss.”
Dominic answered.
His smile vanished.
“What?”
May you like
A pause.
“Vescari escaped.”
