Chapter 10

Evelyn's lips curled into a sneer as she watched Adaline turn to leave. "Running away again? Just like you ran from your responsibilities as a wife." Her voice rose, deliberately drawing attention from passersby on the courthouse steps. "No wonder Michael came to me. At least I can give him a child."

Adaline stopped mid-step, her body tensing. She turned slowly, facing her former friend.

"You know nothing about my marriage," she said, her voice low and controlled.

"I don't?" Evelyn cocked her head, eyes glittering with malice. "Did you think Michael kept your little secrets? Those nights you cried into your pillow? The way you'd flinch whenever you saw a baby?"

Adaline's breath caught. "Stop it, Evelyn."

"Why should I? Everyone should know what a fraud you are. Perfect Adaline Watson, with her fancy degree and family name, can't even do what women have done since the beginning of time."

Evelyn laughed, a harsh sound devoid of humor. "I know everything, Adaline. Michael told me all about your pathetic attempts to conceive. Paying doctors to fake that you're not the one at fault?? How you'd cry yourself to sleep." She stepped closer, emboldened by Adaline's silence. "Your father would be so disappointed. His precious little girl, such a failure. He always wanted grandchildren, didn't he? Before he died—"

The sound of Adaline's palm connecting with Evelyn's cheek echoed in the suddenly quiet space.

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock before narrowing dangerously. Without hesitation, she struck back, her manicured hand leaving an angry red mark on Adaline's face.

"How dare you," Evelyn hissed. "You're nothing. Nobody."

"I trusted you," Adaline whispered, the betrayal cutting deeper than the physical pain. "You were my friend before you were ever his mistress."

"Friend?" Evelyn spat the word. "I was your charity case. Poor little Evelyn from the wrong side of town who you invited to your home so you could feel better about yourself."

Martin moved quickly toward them, but Adaline was already stepping forward, rage coursing through her veins. Her father had been the one person who truly loved her, who protected her from her mother's coldness. His memory was sacred.

"Ms. Adaline, please," Martin murmured, just loud enough for her to hear. "She's not worth it."

"Listen to your Lover," Evelyn taunted, backing up slightly. "Michael's new position can put you in prison with one phone call." She smirked, glancing at Martin who was now trying to gently restrain Adaline. "Yes, hold your childless lover back. She needs a man to control her—"

Something snapped inside Adaline. Years of suppressed anger, pain, and humiliation erupted at once. She lunged forward, breaking free of Martin's light grasp, her fist connecting with Evelyn's face before she grabbed a handful of her perfectly styled hair.

"This," Adaline said, delivering a stinging slap to Evelyn's right cheek, "is for slapping me."

Evelyn struggled, but Adaline's grip remained firm.

"Let go of me, you psychotic bitch!" Evelyn shrieked, clawing at Adaline's hands.

"This," another slap, this time to the left cheek, "is for calling me barren."

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock and pain. "Michael! Michael, help me!"

"This," Adaline continued, returning to the right cheek with another sharp strike, "is for insulting Martin, who has shown me more respect in one day than Michael showed me in two years."

"You'll regret this," Evelyn choked out, mascara streaming down her face. "I swear to God, you'll pay for this."

Adaline's final slap to Evelyn's left cheek echoed loudly in the now-silent courtyard. "And that is for daring to speak about my father."

Michael appeared, rushing from the courthouse doors. He pulled Evelyn away, his face contorted with rage. "Have you lost your mind? She's pregnant!"

"And that excuses her behavior?" Adaline shot back, straightening her jacket. "She can say whatever she wants because she's carrying your child?"

Michael cradled Evelyn protectively. "You're unhinged, Adaline. This is exactly why—"

"Why what?" Adaline challenged, stepping closer. "Why you cheated? Why you left? Go ahead, Michael. For once in your life, finish a sentence honestly."

Martin stepped forward, his normally calm voice firm. "Ma'am, we should be going now."

Michael pointed an accusatory finger at Adaline. "This isn't over. Do you understand me? This isn't over."

"It was over the moment you crawled into her bed," Adaline replied coldly. Then, turning to Evelyn, "Was it worth it? Betraying our friendship?"

Evelyn wiped at her tears, a calculating smile forming despite her swollen cheek. "Every. Single. Night."

Adaline straightened her jacket, a strange calmness settling over her. She looked directly at Michael as she walked toward the waiting car. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat," she said clearly. "Maybe next time you'll hold your pregnant bitch on a tighter leash."

She slid into the backseat, her hands trembling slightly as Martin closed the door. As they pulled away, she caught a glimpse of Michael cradling Evelyn's face, examining the red marks blooming on her cheeks.

As they drove away from the courthouse, Martin glanced at Adaline in the rearview mirror, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Ms. Adaline," he said hesitantly, his knuckles white against the steering wheel, "Mister Justin would likely scold me—or worse, sack me—if he learned what happened back there. Would you please..." His voice trailed off, unsure how to properly phrase his request.

Adaline's eyes met his in the mirror. The adrenaline was slowly draining from her system, leaving her with a clearer perspective of what had just transpired. She brushed her fingers against her cheek where Evelyn's slap still stung.

"It's fine, Martin," she replied softly. "I wouldn't want Mister Justin to know either." She paused, straightening in her seat. "We can keep this between us."

Relief washed over Martin's face. "Thank you, ma'am."

"I should be thanking you," Adaline said, "for trying to intervene. That was... not my finest moment."

Adaline fingers working methodically to smooth her disheveled hair. She secured a loose strand behind her ear, then adjusted her blouse where it had come untucked during the altercation. As the city streets blurred past the window, a thought formed, unexpected yet somehow perfectly clear.

"Is there any orphanage around here?" she asked suddenly.

Martin looked surprised but recovered quickly. "Yes, ma'am. St. Catherine's Home for Children is about fifteen minutes from here." He hesitated before adding, "I could take you there, if you'd like."

"Please," Adaline said, her voice steady with newfound resolve. "I'd appreciate that."

"May I ask why the sudden interest?" Martin ventured carefully.

Adaline gazed out the window. "Something Evelyn said... about being a failure because I couldn't have children. Maybe she's right about that part, but perhaps there's more than one way to be a mother."

"If I may say so, ma'am, motherhood isn't about biology. It's about love."

"Hmm you're so wise, Martin?" Adaline said, a genuine smile forming for the first time that day.

"Raised by a single father who adopted me when I was six," he replied simply. "Blood doesn't make a family. Love does."

Adaline felt something tight in her chest loosen slightly. "Then I'll go see about making a family."

Martin nodded and changed lanes, steering them away from the route back to Justin's estate and toward a new, unplanned destination. Adaline leaned back against the leather seat, watching the world pass by outside her window, her mind already filled with possibilities she hadn't allowed herself to consider in years.