Chapter 406

Emmeline rose from her seat to greet her friend with genuine warmth. “I’m the plaintiff—I thought I should demonstrate some investment in my own liberation.”

Minnie embraced her behind the table barrier, and Emmeline returned the hug with heartfelt gratitude.

“Unlike the tense atmosphere of the assault hearing, I feel a genuine spark of hope about today’s proceedings. I can’t stop imagining the moment when the judge would officially declare me free from Richard’s control.”

Minnie leaned in to whisper conspiratorially in Emmeline’s ear. “You mean Judge Blackthorn, right? Your handsome savior?”

Emmeline shook her head, unable to suppress the excitement bubbling within her. “He’ll be the one to grant my divorce. It feels right somehow.”

After their embrace ended, Emmeline moved closer to her friend and added in a cautious whisper, “We need to be careful, though. Judges are prohibited from communicating with parties involved in their cases. If anyone checke