With no one to persuade Evelyn, the day of the trial arrived. She got dressed in loose black trousers and a white shirt and curled her hair then let it fall loosely behind her.
She got into a taxi with Selene and they drove to court. She caught sight of Uncle Xavier at one corner and Nathan at another.
She walked towards Uncle Xavier and all three of them went into the building without giving Nathan a chance to talk to her.
The corridors of the courthouse smelled faintly of polish and paper. The air conditioning couldn't have been that low but Evelyn felt a chill in her bones.
Her shoes clicked softly against the tiled floor as she walked, her hand gripping Selene's for balance more than comfort. She had imagined this day countless times in her mind, yet standing here now, the reality of it pressed like iron against her ribs.
Uncle Xavier led the way. Every so often, he'd glance back to make sure she was still there and offer her a reassuring smile.
They reached the courtroom doors and walked in.
Selene squeezed her hand, whispering, "You're not alone." Then she took a seat behind the barrier as Evelyn and Uncle Xavier stepped forward.
At the front sat the judge, a gray-haired woman with sharp eyes and a steady, calm presence. On the opposite side of the room sat Nathan. And Sebastian, who was doing everything humanly possible to avoid her gaze.
She sneered softly and turned away. Uncle Xavier guided her to the plaintiff's table. The bailiff called the court to order, and all rose.
When everyone sat, the judge's voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Case number 14-297. Evelyn Carter versus Nathan Hale. Petition for dissolution of marriage. Counsel, are you ready to proceed?"
"Ready for the petitioner, Your Honor," Uncle Xavier said.
"Ready for the respondent," Sebastian added.
The judge nodded once. "Proceed."
Uncle Xavier rose first, composed and deliberate.
"Your Honor, this is not a case of a marriage that simply failed. This is a case of deliberate deception, emotional cruelty, and physical harm. We intend to show that the respondent, Mr. Nathan Hale, knowingly and secretly switched his wife's prescribed supplements with birth control pills, resulting in severe hormonal imbalance and almost permanent damage to her reproductive health."
Evelyn didn't move as he spoke. She could feel Nathan's gaze on her. He probably never realized how sloppy his methods were.
On the other side, Sebastian turned to Nathan with shock in his eyes. He lowered his voice and furiously whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?"
Nathan shrugged.
"It wasn't important."
Sebastian was almost going crazy but had to compose himself.
"We'll talk after this is over."
He could already guess how things would end today.
After Xavier sat down, Sebastian had to stand up and spew lies that no one in this room would believe.
"Your Honor, while we understand Mrs. Hale's distress, we strongly contest the accusations of deliberate harm. My client has always acted in what he believed was his wife's best interest. Any substitution of medication was a misunderstanding at most. An error without malicious intent."
Nathan looked straight ahead, his expression the picture of composure. But Evelyn noticed how his fingers drummed once against the table before he caught himself.
The judge's gaze swept over both of them. "We'll proceed with evidence."
Uncle Xavier stood up, presenting the test reports and Evelyn's former medical records.
"Normally, the body is supposed to bounce back after a person stops taking the pills. Almost everyone in this room is aware of my clients health condition. She was born premature and had to take more care of her body than other people. What would have been an easy fix for others, spelled doom for her."
Next came the lab technician. A young man who confirmed that fingerprints on the replaced pill bottles matched Nathan's. He spoke nervously, but the evidence was clear.
Xavier laid out photographs, hospital bills, and test results. Each document landed with the dull slap of paper on wood.
When he was done, the courtroom was quiet except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan.
Sebastian cleared his throat and rose again. "Your Honor, the respondent wishes to make a statement."
The judge nodded curtly. "Proceed."
Nathan stood, buttoning his jacket. For a moment, he looked toward Evelyn.
"Your Honor," he began smoothly, "I admit that I switched the pills. But it was never to harm Evelyn. She was unwell, constantly exhausted, and the doctors weren't helping. I thought the supplements were making things worse. I— I only wanted to give her something gentler."
Xavier shot to his feet. "Your Honor, we have already established that the respondent holds a degree in pharmacology. He knew exactly what those pills were and what effects they would have."
Nathan turned sharply. "That's not true—!"
The judge's gavel struck once. "Mr. Hale. Sit down."
He froze, jaw tight, then slowly lowered himself back into his seat. The judge's eyes were cold as steel. "You will have your turn, counsel. Continue, Mr. Sterling"
Xavier didn't waste time. "Your Honor, this is a man who used his knowledge to control his wife's body and rob her of a choice that was hers alone to make. He caused her physical harm, emotional trauma, and lasting medical consequences. We are asking the court to grant dissolution of marriage and to award the petitioner half of the marital assets."
The judge leaned back, silent for a long moment. The clock ticked faintly on the wall.
Then she turned to Evelyn. "Mrs. Hale, do you wish to make a statement before I give my ruling?"
Evelyn rose slowly.
"I don't have much to say, Your Honor. I loved my husband. I trusted him. And he made me believe I was losing my mind. That my pain was imaginary. I only ask to not be with him anymore."
The judge adjusted her glasses. "Mr. Hale, your actions were deliberate and deceitful. You interfered with your wife's medical treatment, resulting in bodily harm. Whether you intended it or not, the consequences are severe."
She paused, then added, "The court hereby grants the petitioner a decree of dissolution. Mrs. Hale is awarded fifty percent of all marital assets, including the home on Ashby Lane, the joint investments, and vehicle shares. Furthermore, due to evidence of bodily harm, this ruling will stand without appeal. This case is closed."
The gavel struck once, firm and final.
Relief washed over Evelyn like a wave. She took up and walked out with Selene and Uncle Xavier only to run into Nathan and Sebastian arguing.
Sebastian ran a hand through his hair.
"Nathan you should have told me. I'm your lawyer in this case, not just your friend. This was something crucial to the case and you brushed it off saying it wasn't important?"
Nathan was annoyed. He had already lost half of what he owned and Sebastian was still scolding him.
"If you were a better lawyer, you would have a way around it."
Sebastian laughed angrily.
"Honestly, I'm quite surprised at how she tolerated you for so long."
Nathan wanted to retort but then saw Evelyn's group. He turned and left, leaving Sebastian there.
Sebastian was in an awkward position. He walked forward.
"I'm sorry."
Evelyn shrugged.
"You didn't think it was the right choice to tell me he had a sweetheart so there's no use crying over spilt milk now. There's nothing between me and Nathan anyone. As his friend, you're free to keep taking his side. I don't lack supporters."
They left him standing there, stunned. Throughout the case, she had never mentioned Nathan's cheating and he thought she still wasn't aware.
A wry smile emerged on his lips. It turns out she knew everything. But she should have been more accommodating. If he was going to get married, he would definitely find a wife who was easy to control.
Uncle Xavier offered to drive them back but the women declined. After bidding him goodbye, they stopped a taxi and headed back to the apartment.