Chapter 6 - The Map of Survival
First, the heavy gray jacket slipped off her shoulders, revealing a simple, sleeveless ivory blouse underneath.
Then, the courtroom saw her skin.
And then, they saw the scars.
A collective, horrified gasp echoed through Courtroom 4B. Several reporters physically recoiled.
These were not tiny, accidental scratches. They were long, pale, deeply jagged scars that aggressively crisscrossed her bare arms, violently marred her shoulders, and disappeared beneath the fabric covering her ribs.
It was a brutal, terrifying, irrefutable story carved directly into her flesh.
Some of the scars looked old, faded white by years of healing. But others were horrifyingly new, angry and pink, causing the entire room to completely stop breathing.
Judge Aranda slowly sat back in his high leather chair, his eyes wide behind his glasses.
"Mrs. Rivera..."
The judge started, his voice losing its strict judicial edge.
Julián’s arrogant face drained of all color, turning a sickly, terrified shade of gray.
"Claudia, don't do this,"
Julián hissed, genuine panic finally bleeding into his voice.
Claudia placed both of her scarred hands flat on the wooden table. They did not shake. Her voice was low, incredibly firm, and almost painfully calm.
"Your Honor,"
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Claudia began, her voice echoing clearly across the silent room.
"This is no longer merely a divorce settlement. Today is the day that everyone in this room will finally see exactly what Julián Salvatierra has buried beneath his layers of money, his corporate business, and his pristine family reputation."
