Chapter 8 - THE HEARING
The emergency family hearing took place three days later. Elena wore a simple navy dress. Mateo sat beside her, holding the folder of medical records. Their attorney had assembled the hospital transfer documents, the forged consent form, the letters sent in Mateo's name, and Dr. Voss's sworn statement.
Beatriz arrived with two lawyers. Vanessa came separately, looking exhausted and carrying a folder against her chest.
The judge asked whether she understood the seriousness of the proceedings.
“Yes,” Vanessa said.
“Are you prepared to testify truthfully?”
She glanced at Elena. “Yes.”
The hearing established that Gabriel had been transferred without the birth mother's informed consent. The private adoption had relied on falsified records. Beatriz's lawyers argued that the placement had been intended to protect the child, but the judge was not persuaded.
Then Vanessa testified. She admitted that Beatriz had recruited her to pose as pregnant. The prosthesis had been used to support the lie while they prepared to introduce Gabriel as Vanessa's premature son. She also admitted visiting the child at St. Catherine's and delivering the letters that claimed his parents had abandoned him.
“Why did you agree?” the judge asked.
Vanessa looked down. “Beatriz promised to pay my debts and help my brother. She said the boy would be better off. I told myself I was helping him.”
Elena's voice shook. “You knew I was alive.”
“Yes.”
“You knew I had been looking for my baby.”
Vanessa began to cry. “I knew.”
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
Elena stared at her. “You were afraid of losing money. I was afraid my child was dead.”
Vanessa had no answer.
The judge ordered an independent review of Gabriel's records, suspended Beatriz's authority over the trust, and granted Mateo and Elena temporary placement pending medical and family assessments. The court also prohibited Beatriz and her representatives from contacting Gabriel without permission.
As the hearing ended, a police officer approached Mateo.
“We've located Rafael Moretti.”
Mateo stiffened. “Where?”
“An estate outside Reno. He has been using an alias. We believe he arranged the attempted entry at the hospital.”
The officer handed him a photograph. Rafael was older, thinner, but unmistakable.
“He wants to speak with you,” the officer said.
Mateo looked at Elena. “Not until Gabriel is home.”
Outside the courthouse, Vanessa approached Elena.
“I don't expect forgiveness,” she said.
“Good.”
“I wanted a family. I thought if I could become part of yours—”
“You don't become part of a family by stealing its child.”
May you like
Vanessa lowered her head.
Elena walked away. She did not feel triumphant. She felt tired, angry, and relieved that the truth had finally entered a courtroom where money could not simply make it disappear.
