Chapter 10 - The Medical Report from 2019 — A Lie Built on Forgery
By Friday afternoon, the State Attorney’s Office had formally nullified the
fraudulent 2019 divorce settlement agreement. Under the revised court order,
Camilla was recognized as the legal spouse at the time of Leo’s birth, securing
Leo’s immediate status as the sole lawful heir to my personal and family assets.
I drove back to Little Havana carrying a thick leather portfolio containing the
legal restitution documents, a new medical insurance policy under my corporate
plan, and the deed to a four-bedroom house with a sprawling garden in Coconut
Grove—the very house I had originally bought, now transferred exclusively into
Camilla’s name.
When I entered Apartment 3B, Camilla was sitting at the kitchen table, looking
over a pile of past-due bills with a pencil tucked behind her ear.
“You don’t have to pay those anymore,” I said gently, stepping inside and
placing the portfolio on the table.
She looked up, startled. “Lucas, what is all this?”
“It’s your life back,” I replied, opening the folder. “The court struck down the
forged waiver. The state attorney is prosecuting the attorneys who participated
in the fraud. The airport custodial company has been notified of your immediate
resignation, and their corporate headquarters has offered a full settlement for
your wrongful termination history caused by the Vance estate.”
Camilla stared at the documents, her fingers tracing the official gold seal of
the Miami-Dade County Circuit Court. Tears welled up in her eyes, but this time
they were not tears of exhaustion.
“And this?” she asked, picking up the deed to the house in Coconut Grove.
“That’s for you and Leo,” I said. “It has a big backyard with a giant oak tree
where we can build a treehouse. It’s two blocks from the best elementary school
in South Florida. Whether you ever decide to let me back into your heart or not,
you and our son will never have to worry about rent, medical bills, or safety
again.”
Camilla stood up, her chest heaving as she fought to keep her composure. “You’re
really giving all of this up? Your mother’s approval? The country club life?”
“None of that ever kept me warm at night, Camilla,” I said, stepping closer
until I could smell the sweet scent of vanilla and citrus that had always been
hers. “The only thing I ever truly wanted was you. And I was too blind to fight
for you when it mattered most.”
From the hallway, little Leo ran out wearing a miniature superhero cape, diving
straight into my knees with a loud giggle.
“Daddy! Look! I’m flying!” he shouted.
The word Daddy hit me like lightning, sending a surge of pure, unadulterated joy
through every fiber of my being. I scooped him up into my arms, hugging him
tightly against my chest while his small hands wrapped around my neck.
Over his shoulder, I looked at Camilla. For the first time in five years, she
May you like
smiled—a real, radiant smile that reached all the way to her beautiful hazel
eyes.
