Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Full Custody
The family court judge did not even hesitate.
With Sebastián facing decades in federal prison and his assets frozen by the government, the custody hearing was a mere formality.
Valeria sat at the plaintiff’s table, flanked by her legal team. Sebastián was not present; he was attending via video link from a federal detention center, wearing a beige uniform that stripped away every ounce of his former arrogance.
"Given the severity of the criminal charges, the documented history of harassment, and the complete financial instability of the respondent," the judge stated, her gavel resting in her hand. "I am terminating Sebastián's parental rights. Sole physical and legal custody is awarded to the mother. A permanent, non-expiring restraining order is hereby issued."
The gavel struck the block.
Bang.
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Valeria didn't smile. She didn't gloat. She simply closed her leather notebook, stood up, and walked out of the courtroom.
She didn't look at the screen where Sebastián’s face had crumpled into despair. He was no longer a person in her life. He was just a closed file.
