Chapter 2 – The First Secret
No one spoke.
Even the reporters forgot to take pictures.
Judge Eleanor Whitman adjusted her glasses and stared at Iris for several long seconds.
"Mrs. Vance," she finally said, "would you like to explain the significance of these injuries?"
Iris nodded.
"They weren't caused by an accident."
She turned slowly toward Julian.
"They were caused by my husband."
A wave of whispers swept across the courtroom.
Julian slammed his hand on the table.
"That's a lie!"
Marcus Hale calmly stood.
"Your Honor, before my client continues, I request permission to submit Exhibit A."
The bailiff carried a thick folder to the judge.
Inside were hospital records dating back nearly eleven years.
Emergency room visits.
Broken ribs.
A fractured wrist.
Repeated concussions.
Every report listed a different explanation.
Fell down the stairs.
Slipped in the shower.
Car accident.
Kitchen accident.
The judge frowned.
"They all occurred within the marriage."
Marcus nodded.
"Yes, Your Honor."
Julian's attorney immediately stood.
"Objection. There is no proof my client caused these injuries."
Marcus smiled.
"That's because we've only begun."
He opened another folder.
"Exhibit B."
This time it wasn't medical records.
It was photographs.
Pictures that Iris had secretly taken after each assault.
Bruises in different stages of healing.
Finger-shaped marks around her neck.
A split lip.
A swollen eye.
Even Nora stared at the photos in disbelief.
She slowly looked at Julian.
"You told me she was unstable..."
Julian didn't answer.
Marcus continued.
"For years Mrs. Vance documented everything."
"Every injury."
"Every threat."
"Every apology."
The courtroom became painfully quiet.
Marcus held up a small voice recorder.
"And she recorded something else."
He pressed play.
Julian's voice echoed through the speakers.
"If you ever leave me, nobody will believe you."
Another recording.
"I own everything—including you."
Another.
"If you tell anyone, I'll destroy your life."
Julian's face turned pale.
The recordings continued.
Threat after threat.
Insult after insult.
Then...
One recording ended with Iris crying.
Another ended with the sound of something breaking.
No one needed an explanation.
Judge Whitman slowly removed her glasses.
"Mr. Vance..."
She looked directly at him.
"Did you make these statements?"
Julian swallowed.
"I..."
May you like
For the first time in years...
The billionaire had no answer.
