Page 114 of Truck Hard

“The child support will cease.” James acknowledges. “However, the alimony remains in effect. Your son subjected my client to thirteen years of documented abuse. The court feels that compensation is more than warranted.”

“We’ll appeal.” Charlie’s lawyer speaks up. “This is clearly a case of fraud—”

“Appeal all you want.” I surprise myself with how calm I sound. “But we both know the truth, don’t we, Charlie? Youknew from the moment Cam was born that he wasn’t yours. That’s why you hated him so much. Why you never showed him an ounce of real affection. And why you beat me every chance you got.”

Charlie’s face twists with ugly rage. “You don’t know anything—”

“I know everything.” I stand slowly, gathering my papers with steady hands. “I know who you really are now. What you really are. And I’m not afraid anymore.”

“Hannah—” He starts to rise again, but this time I don’t flinch.

“We’re done here.” I look him directly in the eyes, letting him see the strength I’ve found. The strength that was there all along, just waiting to be rediscovered. “You will never see us again. Never speak to us again. Never come near us again. Do you understand?”

He stares at me, and for the first time I see something new in his eyes—fear. Fear because he finally realizes he’s lost control. Lost his power over me.

“This isn’t over.” He snarls, but the threat sounds hollow now.

“Yes, it is.” I turn to James. “Are we finished?”

He nods, gathering his briefcase. “All that remains is to file the paperwork for Cameron’s potential name change. But that can wait until you’ve discussed it with him.”

“You can’t do this.” Linda’s voice rises shrilly. “You can’t just—”

“I can. I am.” I pause at the door, looking back one last time at the family that held me prisoner for so long. “I hope you’re proud of the monster you created. Because that’s your legacy now—not your money or your status or your political connections. Just a son who beats women and terrorizes children.”

With that, I walk out. My legs shake with every step, but I keep moving. Down the hallway, past the security checkpoint, through the heavy front doors of the courthouse.

The spring air hits my face like a benediction. I breathe deeply, filling my lungs with the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming dogwoods. Somewhere nearby, a bird is singing.

I made it. I faced him—faced all of them—and I survived.

More than survived—I won.

Chapter 25

Willing to Fight

Liam

The numbers on the spreadsheet blur together as I stare at my computer screen, unable to focus on the auto shop’s monthly expenses. My mind keeps drifting to Hannah, imagining her facing Charlie alone in that courthouse conference room. The urge to protect her claws at my chest, making it hard to breathe.

She needs to do this herself. I remind myself for the hundredth time.She needs to prove she’s strong enough.

Still, the thought of Charlie anywhere near her makes my blood boil. That bastard spent thirteen years systematically breaking her down, making her believe she was worthless. And now she has to sit across a table from him, maintaining her composure while he probably smirks that entitled rich-boy smirk of his.

“Earth to Liam!” Warren’s voice cuts through my brooding. He’s leaning against my office door frame, arms crossed. “You planning to actually work today, or just glare holes in your computer screen?”

I scrub a hand over my face. “Yeah, yeah. Just trying to make sense of these numbers.”

“Uh-huh.” He pushes off the door and saunters in. “Nothing to do with Hannah being at the courthouse right now?”

“Maybe.” I minimize the spreadsheet I haven’t looked at in twenty minutes. “I should be there with her.”

“She said no.” Warren drops into one of my visitor chairs. “Multiple times, if I remember correctly.”

“I know.” The words come out more frustrated than I intend. “But Charlie—”

“Is in jail.” Warren interrupts firmly. “With guards and lawyers present. He can’t hurt her.”

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