Chapter 5 Breaking Point

Jason and I returned home in the quietness of the dark. Margaret and Clarissa were both asleep so we headed straight upstairs to our bedroom. Jason had not said a single word since we left Vincent's party. It was almost as if he was shocked.

He should be.

"Wow, that was something. I never expected that such a thing from a renowned model like her. She was actually cheating on Vincent Vale." Jason said as he came out of the bathroom already changed into his nightwear.

"That's what all cheaters deserve. To be humiliated and destroyed in public." I paused staring at him. "I'll be going to court tomorrow so I might not have breakfast with you. You can call Vanessa to bring you something." I smiled.

I just needed a chance to expose them too.

"No. I'll have breakfast here at home. Vanessa is too clumsy and annoying." Jason lied making me pause while I was rubbing my cream.

"You have never had any complains about her before."

Jason glanced at me, his expression tight. "Well, people change," he said quickly.

I kept rubbing the cream into my arms, but my eyes were on him through the mirror. He walked to the bed, pretending to scroll through his phone, but I could see the flicker of nerves in his fingers. His act was cracking, little by little.

I stood, slowly. "Change? Funny because somethings never do."

Jason looked up sharply. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I shrugged my shoulders putting on my nightgown. I could feel his eyes on me as I got in bed.

Jason slowly set his phone aside, then shifted closer to me on the bed.

"Lyra..." he started, his voice low, trying to sound soft, careful. "I know things have been weird lately. But maybe a child would make things better."

I didn't say anything. I reached for the remote and turned off the bedside lamp. The room fell into a soft darkness, the moonlight casting pale shadows across the wall.

That didn't stop him.

I felt the mattress dip as he leaned toward me, his hand brushing against my thigh, slow and unsure. Then it slid higher, like he thought I wouldn't notice. Or like he still had the right.

"Don't," I said, my voice sharp as a blade.

His hand froze.

"I said don't touch me."

Jason pulled back immediately, as if my words had burned him. "I'm tired. I need to go to court tomorrow. We can have that talk about another child later." I said closing my eyes.

In my past life, I had been so naive and gotten pregnant. I had to watch my son slowly slip from my hands after he was poisoned by someone. I didn't need to guess who it was. Had to be Vanessa, Margaret or Jason.

"Goodnight," Jason muttered under his breath and I could tell he was not happy.

I didn't care.

**********************************

I arrived at the courthouse the next morning. Getting out of my car, I saw Vincent waiting for me in front of the courthouse. He stood beside the stone steps in a charcoal suit, his hands deep in his pockets, jaw tense. His eyes found mine the second I shut the door behind me.

"You ready?" he asked.

I walked up to him, heels clicking with each step. "More than ever. Today, we end this."

Vincent didn't say much after that. He just nodded and held the door open for me. We walked in together.

The courtroom was already half full. Hailey sat at the plaintiff's side, dressed like she was attending a press conference. Her hair was neatly curled, her lips had soft pink lipstick and her legs crossed. She looked confident. But I saw it in her eyes. The fear. The cracks. Because she knew what was coming.

This wasn't just a defamation case.

This was the case that would expose her lies and tie her directly to the Delmar scam that nearly cost Vincent everything.

As the judge entered and we all rose, I took a breath. Calm, sharp, focused. I had studied every document, every transaction, every email. Hailey might have used her looks and charm to manipulate, but the law didn't care about that.

The judge sat. "Proceed."

Hailey's lawyer opened first. He made it sound like a tragic love story. That Hailey was dragged into this mess out of heartbreak. That Vincent and I conspired to ruin her public image out of jealousy and vengeance.

"She's lost brand deals. Partnerships. Her face is being used in memes," he whined. "She was humiliated in a party with over a hundred industry figures watching."

I didn't blink.

When it was my turn, I stood up, walked to the center of the courtroom, and began.

"Your Honor, what happened at that party wasn't defamation. It was exposure. The truth. My client, Vincent Vale, purchased three properties through Delmar Group under false assurances that they were clean assets. A few months later, he was slammed with lawsuits. Each one tied to unpaid taxes, illegal permits, and ownership disputes."

I turned slightly, facing the judge more directly. "Ms. Cross is the one that convinced my client, Mr. Vale to buy those houses. I have evidence that this is not her first time pulling such a scam. She is in cahoots with Damien Delmar therefore we would like to ask for compensation. Not only should Delmar Group return the money that Mr. Vale used in purchasing those houses but they should also compensate for the lawsuits he had to settle out of pocket, the damage to his public image, and the collapse of two major partnerships tied to the project."

I walked over to the desk and picked up a stack of printed documents. My heels echoed with purpose in the quiet courtroom as I handed copies to the judge and opposing counsel.

The judge stared at it for a while before looking at Hailey's lawyer. "I believe there is no more need to drag this out. In light of the evidence presented, this court rules in favor of Mr. Vincent Vale. The plaintiff's claims are dismissed. Furthermore, the court orders Delmar Group to pay in full for damages and fraudulent transactions. Ms. Cross will be investigated for her role in the deception."

Hailey sat frozen, her perfect curls no longer hiding the panic in her eyes. Beside me, Vincent let out a slow breath, his shoulders finally relaxing as the judge got up leaving the courtroom.

Hours later, I found myself in one of Vincent's hotels. Vincent had insisted that we should go and celebrate. I didn't see a reason not to since I needed sometime to relax.

"To finally getting justice. I can't believe that your words were true." Vincent said as we clicked glasses together.

" Let's just say that I have a gift." I muttered taking a sip of my drink.

" Well, your gift is amazing. You saved me." Vincent said, his voice barely audible.

I smiled again looking towards the door when Jason walked through it. He wasn't alone. He and Vanessa walked inside smiling and whispering to each other. My hands clenched around my drink.

They walked towards the elevator not noticing me and Vincent seated by the bar in the corner. I got up and followed them.

Sound of laughter erupted from the room as I walked along the hallway heading to meet them. Finally, I could be free from both of them. I could get a divorce and sue Vincent for everything he owned.

I opened the door and walked in.

Just as I expected, Jason was lying in bed with Vanessa. Both of them seemed shocked to see me but I didn't care. Jason fumbled with his clothes as he saw me.

"Lyra, I-" He started but I stopped him.

" I want a divorce, Jason. And your resignation letter." I said staring at him.