“It is the finding of this court that Mrs. Veronica Johnson has engaged in a pattern of severe child mistreatment and emotional cruelty. Her outburst just now only confirms her instability. Therefore, I am granting Mr. Marcus Johnson full and sole legal and physical custody of Mary and James Johnson, effective immediately. A permanent restraining order is granted, barring Mrs. Johnson from any and all contact. Furthermore, I am referring this case to the District Attorney’s office for a full criminal investigation.”
She banged her gavel. “Case closed.”
For a moment, Marcus couldn’t move. He just sat there, as tears of pure, unadulterated relief streamed down his face. He had won. They were safe.
Mary looked up at him. “Daddy? Is it… is it over?”
“Yes, baby,” he choked out, pulling her and James into the tightest hug of his life. “It’s over. We’re safe.”
As they prepared to leave the courthouse, Marcus held Mary and James close. The children, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, clung to him.
“Daddy, are we really going home now?” Mary whispered, her voice still trembling a little.
“Yes, sweetheart. We’re really going home,” Marcus said, kissing the top of her head. “Veronica is not going to be there. She can never be mean to you again.”
Richard came over, a stack of papers in his hand and a look of relief on his face. “The custody order is signed and filed. It’s permanent, Marcus. You’re free. You can take your children home.”
Mrs. Deborah was wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. “Oh, those precious, brave children,” she murmured.
As they walked toward the massive front doors of the courthouse, Richard put a hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “Just a warning. News travels fast in this building. There might be some reporters outside.”
Marcus nodded, his jaw set. He pulled his children even closer. “We’ll handle it.”
The moment they pushed through the doors into the sunlight, a flurry of camera flashes exploded in their faces. Reporters, like a wave, surged forward, microphones and cameras extended.
“Mr. Johnson! What’s your reaction to the judge’s decision?”
“How long was this happening right under your nose?”
“Do you have anything to say to your wife?”
Marcus instinctively turned, shielding Mary and James from the chaos with his own body. The children buried their faces in his coat, frightened by the sudden noise and lights.
“Please,” Marcus said, his voice firm and strong. “My children have been through more than enough. We just want to go home.”
But as they tried to move, a voice cut through the din, sharp and full of venom. “You think you won, Marcus?”
Everyone turned. Veronica was being led out a side door in handcuffs, flanked by two officers. She had seen them.
“You took everything from me!” she shrieked, her voice echoing across the courthouse steps. “Everything! But this isn’t over! You’ll pay for this! All of you! I gave up my life for those ungrateful kids, and this is how you repay me?”
Mary flinched, pressing harder against her father. Even in defeat, Veronica was terrifying.
Marcus felt a surge of pure, protective rage. He stopped, turned, and looked directly at the woman who had almost destroyed his family. He spoke, his voice not loud, but clear and cutting.
“You’re wrong, Veronica. You didn’t give up your life for my children. You tried to take theirs. But they’re stronger than you. And they are safe from you. Forever.”
With that, he turned his back on her for the last time and focused on his children. “Come on, kids. Let’s go home.”
Richard and Mrs. Deborah formed a protective barrier, helping Marcus get through the crowd to his car. He buckled Mary and James into their car seats with hands that were finally steady.
As he pulled away from the curb, he glanced in his rearview mirror. He saw Veronica, still shouting, being placed into the back of a police car. He looked away and didn’t look back.
“Daddy?” James said from his car seat, his first word in hours.
“Yes, buddy?”
“Are we… are we going to our home? Our real home?”
Marcus met his son’s eyes in the mirror and gave him the first genuine, heartfelt smile he’d had in almost a year.
“Yes, James,” he said. “We’re going to our real home. And this time, I’m staying there with you.”..
