Chapter 6: The Custody Hearing

The hearing began behind closed doors.

Rodrigo and Elena entered through a private corridor.

Gabriel followed with two attorneys.

Adrian sat across the room, pretending to be a frightened father.

Mariana entered last.

She wore a dark suit and no jewelry.

The judge reviewed the family’s affidavits.

Adrian testified that Mariana had become suspicious and unpredictable.

“She believed everyone was conspiring against her,” he said.

“Were you afraid she might harm your child?” his attorney asked.

Adrian lowered his eyes.

“Yes.”

Rebecca stood for cross-examination.

“When did you last speak to Nico?”

Adrian hesitated.

“Several days ago.”

“The night he fell into the ocean?”

“Yes.”

“You were aboard the yacht that night.”

A flicker of panic crossed his face.

“No.”

Rebecca turned toward the judge.

“We would like to introduce authenticated video evidence.”

Rodrigo’s attorney stood.

“This was not provided during discovery.”

“It was obtained during an active federal investigation,” Rebecca replied.

The courtroom monitor came to life.

The deck footage played.

Everyone watched Gabriel remove Nico’s life jacket.

They watched Elena strike Mariana’s hand.

They watched mother and child fall.

Elena began shaking.

Gabriel stared at the floor.

The recording continued.

Rodrigo pointed toward the camera.

The screen went black.

Then the office footage began.

Adrian’s voice filled the courtroom.

She won’t sign.

Rodrigo answered.

Then she cannot remain in control of the trust.

When the words She won’t survive echoed through the room, two federal agents moved toward the family.

Adrian stood abruptly.

“This is out of context.”

Rebecca faced him.

“What context makes planning your wife’s death acceptable?”

“I never agreed to kill her.”

“You agreed to take control of Nico’s inheritance after she died.”

“I was protecting my son.”

Mariana looked at him.

“No. You were waiting to own him.”

The judge immediately dismissed Adrian’s custody request.

Federal agents arrested him for conspiracy and attempted murder.

Gabriel tried to leave.

He was stopped at the door.

Elena began sobbing.

Rodrigo remained seated.

Even as an agent placed handcuffs around his wrists, he looked almost bored.

“This is temporary,” he told Mariana.

She stood across the courtroom from him.

“You left us in the ocean.”

“You threatened everything this family built.”

“You mean everything you stole.”

His eyes hardened.

“You have no idea what you’ve started.”

Mariana did.

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