Chapter 8 - The Visitation Hearing
Two weeks later, Judge Vance convened an emergency evidentiary hearing via secure video conference while I remained home with Claire and Leo.
Julian appeared on the screen from the St. Charles County Jail, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, his hair unwashed and his hands shackled to his waist.
Gone was the arrogant, polished developer who wore Italian leather loafers and mocked my grocery budgets.
Beside his video window sat Gregory Hayes, who looked like a lawyer wishing he had chosen any other profession on earth.
"Your Honor," Hayes argued through the screen, "my client is requesting supervised visitation rights to see his newborn daughter and his son."
"Mr. Collins is presumed innocent until proven guilty in the criminal division, and parental rights should not be severed based on unadjudicated charges."
Judge Vance didn't even look down at her notes; she stared directly into the camera lens with piercing judicial disgust.
"Mr. Hayes, your client attempted to suborn his six-year-old child's mother into absolute financial ruin while she was carrying his unborn child," the judge noted.
"Furthermore, the forensic psychological evaluation submitted by Mrs. Albright indicates that Leo experienced severe emotional intimidation."
"Leo reported that your client explicitly told him, 'If you ever tell Mommy what you saw at the kitchen table, you won't have a home anymore.'"
I gripped Sarah's hand under my desk at home, a fresh wave of protective fury washing over my heart.
Julian flinched visibly on the screen, looking down at his shackled wrists as if wishing the ground would swallow him whole.
"A parent who weaponizes a six-year-old child's shelter to conceal felony forgery poses an active psychological danger to that child," Judge Vance stated unequivocally.
"All visitation rights between Julian Collins and both minor children are suspended indefinitely, pending the outcome of his criminal trial."
"Furthermore, the preliminary injunction freezing all accounts is made permanent, and full custody of both minors is awarded solely to Audrey Collins."
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Judge Vance looked directly at my video feed, her stern expression softening into profound respect.
"Mrs. Collins, take care of your children. This court will ensure that justice protects what remains of your peace."
