“You’re De:ad,” My Husband Mouthed After I Defended Myself in Court, Certain His Money Would Protect Him. His Mistress A:.ttcked Me While I Was Eight Months Pregnant—But They Didn’t Know the Judge Watching His Every Move Was the Father I Hadn’t Seen in Seven Years.

The next morning, the story leaked to the press.

It wasn't a coordinated leak by my legal team, but rather a consequence of the chaotic scene in the courthouse. Reporters had seen the paramedics rushing in, and anonymous sources quickly fed the tabloids the juicy details: A billionaire developer’s mistress attacks his pregnant wife during a divorce hearing.

My phone buzzed constantly on the bedside table. I ignored it, focusing on the rhythmic sound of the fetal monitor.

Elias arrived at the hospital shortly after breakfast, carrying a large coffee and a newspaper. He looked grim.

"It's everywhere," he said, tossing the paper onto the small table. "Marcus’s PR team is in overdrive."

"What are they saying?" I asked, sitting up slightly.

"They are spinning it as a 'tragic misunderstanding' caused by high emotions and your fragile mental state," Elias reported. "He’s holding a press conference at noon outside Hale Communities headquarters."

"Dana told me not to speak to the media," I said, feeling a surge of anxiety.

"Dana is right," my father agreed. "Let Marcus talk. Arrogance usually provides its own rope."

At noon, I turned on the small television in the hospital room.

Marcus stood behind a podium, flanked by his legal team and a PR representative. He looked somber, wearing a dark suit, perfectly playing the role of the beleaguered, reasonable man.

"The incident at the courthouse was deeply unfortunate," Marcus told the cameras, his voice smooth and practiced. "My wife is currently under medical observation, and my primary concern is the health of our unborn child."

A reporter from a local news station shouted a question over the crowd. "Mr. Hale, witnesses heard you tell the bailiff that your wife tripped, but Ms. Reed was detained for assault. Why the discrepancy?"

Marcus’s polite smile faltered for a fraction of a second.

"In the chaos of the moment, it appeared to be an accidental collision," he lied smoothly. "My wife has been emotionally volatile throughout this divorce process, and her reaction understandably escalated the situation."

"Sir, are you aware that courthouse security footage has been subpoenaed?" another reporter pressed.

Marcus gripped the edges of the podium, his knuckles turning white. The charming facade was cracking.

"I am aware of a coordinated smear campaign orchestrated by my wife's family," Marcus snapped, his tone turning aggressive. "Judge Bennett’s presence in that courtroom was not a coincidence. This is an attempt to use judicial influence to destroy my reputation."

I turned the television off.