part 8
PART 8
The first hearing was private.
The damage was not.
Dominic arrived in a dark suit with a bruise on his cheek from the rug and arrogance still intact.
Victoria sat behind him in navy, face composed, pearls bright at her throat.
Audrey sat between Grace and Nathan.
No wedding gown now.
No tiara.
Just a black dress, a neat bun, and the kind of calm that comes after fear has already done its worst.
Dominic’s attorney argued that the incident was exaggerated.
A marital misunderstanding.
A private ritual misinterpreted.
A bride overreacting under stress.
Grace played the audio.
Dominic’s voice filled the room.
Rule number one, Audrey—my word is absolute.
Then Audrey.
And if I refuse?
Then Dominic.
You won’t.
The room changed.
Even Dominic’s attorney stopped writing for a moment.
Grace presented the locked door log.
The list of rules.
The riding crop.
The prenup safety clause.
Elise’s statement.
Victoria’s prior settlement communication.
Dominic stared straight ahead.
Victoria’s face hardened.
The judge asked Dominic one question.
“Did Mrs. Vale consent to these rules?”
Dominic’s jaw worked.
“They were symbolic.”
“That was not my question.”
Silence.
Audrey watched him shrink inside it.
The annulment proceedings moved forward.
The court granted immediate separation.
Dominic was barred from contacting Audrey directly.
The Monroe assets remained untouched.
The marital transfer agreements were frozen.
Then the judge addressed Victoria.
“Mrs. Vale, any attempt to intimidate witnesses will be treated seriously.”
Victoria smiled politely.
“Of course.”
But her hand clenched around her purse.
After the hearing, Victoria approached Audrey in the hallway.
Nathan stepped forward.
Audrey touched his arm.
Let her.
Victoria stopped two feet away.
“You have embarrassed yourself beyond repair.”
Audrey looked at her.
“No.”
“I embarrassed your family by surviving the part you expected me to endure quietly.”
Victoria’s face trembled.
Only once.
Audrey leaned closer.
“Tell Dominic to sign.”
Victoria whispered, “He will fight you.”
Audrey answered, “Then he will lose in public.”
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For the first time, Victoria had no elegant reply.
Read the full story 👉 The court heard Dominic’s own voice on the recording, and the judge allowed the annulment case to move forward.
