Chapter 7 - The Final Hearing
One month later.
The high-ceilinged courtroom of the Family and Commercial Division in the Federal Judiciary Building was silent.
Valeria sat at the plaintiff’s table, dressed in an elegant cream-colored silk blouse and a dark navy skirt. Beside her sat Eduardo Silva and a legal team of five senior advocates.
Across the room, sitting at the defense table in orange prison jumpsuits, were Mauricio and Richard Ortega.
They were handcuffed at the wrists, escorted by two armed federal guards.
In the gallery behind them sat Beatriz Ortega, wearing a faded coat she had bought from a second-hand market, her hair unkempt, her eyes hollow and filled with deep, permanent grief.
The judge, a formidable woman in her sixties named Justice Elena Morales, adjusted her glasses and looked down from her bench.
“We are here to finalize the annulment and complete financial separation between Valeria Cruz and Mauricio Ortega,” Justice Morales announced, her voice echoing through the courtroom. “Having reviewed the evidence of domestic abuse, physical assault, and financial misrepresentation submitted by the plaintiff, this court finds ample grounds for an immediate, absolute annulment of the marriage.”
Mauricio lowered his head, staring at the polished wood of his handcuffs.
“Furthermore,” Justice Morales continued, turning a page in her file, “the court approves the total forfeiture of all marital claims asserted by the defendant. Mr. Mauricio Ortega is ordered to pay two million pesos in civil damages to the plaintiff for physical and psychological harm.”
Mauricio’s lawyer—a court-appointed public defender—cleared his throat. “Your Honor, my client is currently facing federal criminal charges and has filed for personal bankruptcy. He has no assets to satisfy a civil judgment.”
“Then the judgment will attach to his future earnings following the completion of his criminal sentence,” Justice Morales replied without hesitation.
She turned her gaze toward Mauricio.
“Mr. Ortega, step forward.”
Mauricio stood up slowly, the iron chains clinking against his ankles. He shuffled to the center of the courtroom, keeping his head down.
“Do you have anything to say to this court before I finalize this decree?” Justice Morales asked coldly.
Mauricio looked across the room at Valeria.
She looked back at him with absolute calm—no anger, no malice, no bitterness. She looked at him as if he were a complete stranger who had briefly crossed her path and been forgotten.
“Vale...” Mauricio whispered, his voice trembling violently. “I’m sorry... I’m so sorry for what I did to you.”
Valeria did not speak. She simply sat quietly, her posture straight and proud.
“The decree is signed,” Justice Morales declared, slamming her gavel down with a sharp thud. “Court is adjourned.”
As the guards stepped forward to take Mauricio and his father back to the holding cells, Beatriz rushed to the wooden railing, weeping loudly.
“Mauricio! Mauricio!” she cried, reaching out her trembling hands.
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Mauricio didn't look back at his mother.
As he was led through the heavy steel doors leading to the holding cells, his eyes remained fixed on Valeria Cruz—the woman he had thought was a poor orphan, who now stood as the undisputed ruler of the world he had lost forever.
