The Monster Behind His Mask

Santia

ually so composed, visibly flinched. He looked at his lawyer, then at Br

ies any allegations of infidelity. This is a baseless accusation,

to a low murmur. Reporters, who had packed the g

manded, her gavel banging sharply. The mur

silence. "That's her, the one who's trying to ruin poor Decl

s infertile! She can't even give him kid

PR team, had painted me as the villain. A bitter, jeal

der in my courtroom. Ms. Santiago has the right to a fair hearing, free from public prejudice."

ked you a direct question. Do you admit to t

glanced at Bridgett, who was looking at him with wid

. it's affected her judgment. She's twisting things. There was no affair. Bridgett is an employee, nothing more. My wife found a stray cat, and somehow, this simple

e people shook their heads, clearly buying his

woman sitting next to you is just a figment of my imagination

. This is exactly what I'm talking about. She needs help, not a divorce." He looked at his parents,

her hand instinctively going to her belly. Her voice was so

. unable to have children of her own." She cast a pitying glance in my direction. "But she's twisting the truth. Declan is a good man. A kind man. He helped me w

tire fortune to her. She wants to take everything from him, to leave him with nothing. She's a greedy, vengeful wom

s were a frenzy of clicks and flashes. Their headlines for tomorrow were writing

anding than you'll ever be. She's willing to overlook your madness, your cruelty. She's a good woman."

face. Yet, a strange calm settled over me. His vitriol, his blatant lies, his smug satisfaction-it was

tt, then at the judge. A slow, chi

pregnant, then denies the child, while gaslighting his wife into thinking she's insane." I paused, letting the implicatio

n. Does he admit to infidelity? He has evaded it, deflected, and attempted to paint me as mentally

ng unreadable in her eyes. "Ms. Santiago, ar

"And I assure you, it will leave no doubt about Mr. Harris's i

's eyes widened, a flash of genuine fear replacing her feign

gaze sweeping over the silent roo

r seat. She walked to the projection screen, a USB drive in her hand.

replaced by a dawning horror. He knew. He knew I had somet