Chapter 8 A Last Minute Safe

Stacey's POV:

If only the ground would open so I can just hop inside and it could swallow me whole.

No one moved. No one blinked. The sound of Noah's voice still was all anyone could hear.

"Yes, I had sex with Stacey last night... and I'm her student."

My lungs weren't working. My heart wasn't beating. At least, it didn't feel like it.

It felt like I was watching myself from outside my own body, as if the real me had run screaming from the courtroom the second that video started playing.

Cunning bitch!

I had no idea how they got that video or even how Noah agreed to this.

Are you serious? He only ever just wanted you for your body, or worse, this was just a whole plan by Agatha... That night... the sex... everything

I felt something awful at the pit of my stomach as I moved back to my seat.

Agatha looked calm. Smug, even.

Liam leaned forward, whispering something to her, but I couldn't make out the words. Whatever it was, she didn't respond. She just sat there, arms folded like a queen overseeing the destruction she'd orchestrated. And I knew.

She was behind it. She had to be, and Noah, that lying asshole,

I turned to Chloe, desperate, but even her face had lost a bit of its color. Not fear. Chloe didn't get as easily frightened as me. No, the look on her face was confusion, and I didn't blame her.

But already she was calculating. I could see her strategizing fast in her head as she mouthed the words, "I'm sorry," blaming herself for pushing me into Noah.

I nodded a bit with a forced smile plastered on my face, reassuring her that it was okay. I got myself into this, and now my daughter has to pay for it.

It was amid this chaos that he appeared.

Noah.

He looked nervous. Pale. Sweat lined his forehead. But his eyes locked on mine with something fierce-determination.

"Wait," he yelled, his voice echoing through the courthouse.

"Young man, are you lost?" The judge asked as everyone was now staring at him, including Agatha.

I was terrified of what else he might say, what new nightmare he might release, and, more importantly, what the hell he was doing here .

"I need to fix this. I'm sorry I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"What are you talking about?" I whispered, my voice hoarse.

He looked at Chloe, then back at me. "I recorded that video, yes. But I lied in it. Agatha made me say it. She... she threatened me."

The entire courtroom gasped at the revelation.

The judge's eyes narrowed. "You have proof of that, young man??"

Noah didn't answer. Instead, he pulled his phone from his pocket, trembling fingers navigating to his voice memos. With a few taps, he hit play.

And then we heard her. Agatha.

"If you don't say what I asked, Stacey's career is over. I'll send an anonymous tip to the board, I'll leak messages, and I'll make sure they throw her out and ban her from teaching anywhere else. She's done. Unless you freaking do as I say ."

My knees nearly gave out. Chloe grabbed my arm, steadying me.

Noah looked up at me, regret thick in his voice. "I thought I was helping. I thought if I said what she wanted, it'd end quickly and you'd still have your job. I didn't think she'd actually send it to court."

Chloe then stood up, adjusted her suit,

"Your Honor, as you can see, the video was forged and forced on, and the evidence is right here for the jury to see."

Liam's attorney was speechless and almost looked terrified.

"Your Honor, my client is perfectly capable of taking care of her daughter regardless of being her biological mother."

There was a brief chatter before the judge finally said something.

"We will take a 20-minute break as the jury decides the final verdict. The court is adjourned," and with that he banged the hammer, and we all waited.

Time moved like it was in slow motion. Every minute feels like torture.

Finally twenty minutes passed, and the courtroom resumed. Everyone returned to their seats, buzzing with speculation. The judge looked tired but sharp, hands folded over his desk.

"Please, let's recall what happened before the break, and I hope your evidence is now carefully organized." The judge asked, looking at Chloe.

Chloe stood before the entire court. "Your Honor, we have newly discovered evidence that directly rebuts the earlier video testimony and exposes a deliberate attempt to deceive this court."

The judge raised an eyebrow. "Proceed."

Noah took the stand.

He looked like a scared kid, but when he started speaking, his voice held steady.

"The video I submitted earlier today... I lied in it. I was forced into saying what I said by Agatha Whitmore." He nodded toward her. "She told me if I didn't do it, she'd ruin Stacey's career. I thought I was helping my lecturer; I didn't think she would bring it to court and use it against her."

Chloe played the voice memo. The courtroom went silent again. Agatha didn't blink. But Liam... Liam finally looked unsure. His jaw clenched, and for the first time, he didn't look so smug sitting next to her.

The judge asked for the phone to be submitted. He listened to the full audio again in silence, nodding slowly.

When the audio ended, he looked at Agatha. "Miss Whitmore, would you like to respond?"

She stood, her expression unreadable.

"I never threatened anyone. That audio could have been edited. And even if it's real, Noah is just a student.

But her voice lacked the venom it usually carried. She was slipping. And everyone could see it.

She was scared...

The judge exhaled through his nose. "We will have this audio authenticated. But I've heard enough to know that this case has taken a disturbing turn."

He turned to me. "Miss Smith, please rise."

My heart thudded wildly. Chloe squeezed my hand.

I stood.

"This court finds no credible evidence to support the claim that you were engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student."

He looked toward Liam and Agatha.

"In the best interest of the child, this court awards full legal and physical custody of Tessa Smith to Miss Stacey."

The words echoed like church bells in my head.

I couldn't believe it.

It was over.

"As for the divorce settlement, the court encourages both parties to resolve remaining matters amicably. Given the events of today, I would advise against prolonged litigation."

There was a pause.

Then Liam stood silent until now.

"I'll sign whatever she wants."

That stunned everyone. Even Agatha looked betrayed.

What do you know, the devil does have a heart.

"I just want to be a part of Tessa's life. I messed up. We both did. But I won't drag this out anymore."

The judge nodded.

Papers were drawn up. The settlement was finalized. Chloe read every word twice before handing it to me. I signed it with a shaking hand, then passed it to Liam. No tricks.

And just like that, it was done.

Tessa was finally mine. Chloe and I stepped out of the court towards the car to find Noah there waiting.

"Go talk to him," Chloe said, giving me a nudge, to which I replied by rolling my eyes.

"Hey," I said, approaching him.

What exactly do you say to a student you've had sex with who nearly ruined your life but somehow saved it? .... Yeah, 'hey' sounds right.

"Hi," he replied.

" I'm sorry about that. I didn't think she would..."

"It's okay... thank you anyway." There was a brief silence between us that wrapped the air before Chloe barged in.

"You guys, let's go and celebrate. I know the perfect place."

I turned to Noah, and the words fell out of my mouth. "Do you want to come ?"

Why did you say that, you crazy girl?

"Yeah, I would love to. I'll take my car and follow you guys."

Great, now you've started something. Are you sure about this?

"Okay, yeah, sure."