I looked over at Evan.

He looked smaller than he ever had before, stripped of his expensive suits and his confident grin.

Vivian refused to look in our direction, keeping her chin held high as if she were above the proceedings.

Judge Vance took her place on the bench and banged her gavel once, the sound echoing through the empty room.

“We are here in the matter of the Hayes Estate Trust,” the judge began.

She looked down at the documents Lydia had submitted, flipping through them slowly.

The silence in the courtroom was absolute, save for the sound of the pages turning and the rain outside.

“The petitioner has submitted evidence of systemic asset diversion,” Judge Vance said, her eyes shifting to Evan’s attorney.

“Your Honor, these are unsubstantiated claims by a disgruntled spouse,” Henderson said, rising to his feet.

“Mr. Henderson, I have a signed deed and bank records from a licensed wine merchant,” Judge Vance said.

“They are highly substantiated.”

Lydia stood up, smoothing her skirt.

“We request an immediate ruling on the validity of the prenuptial agreement, Your Honor, given the clear evidence of fraud prior to its execution,” Lydia said.