The Secret Inside the Sofa

At the sight of what I'd done, my father trembled with rage. Without hesitation, he struck me hard across the face.

"Matt! How long are you going to keep being this stubborn? Do you have any idea how much Victoria has suffered for you? Are you blind and heartless? The paternity test is right in front of you, and you're still determined to destroy this family?"

The slap cracked loudly through the air—he hadn't held back at all.

Pain exploded across my cheek, the skin already flushing red and bruised.

The crowd erupted into an uproar. Some pointed at me and cursed, calling me heartless. Others spoke into their phones, lamenting, "What's wrong with men these days? How can they be this cruel?"

The redness in Victoria's eyes finally overflowed into tears. As she looked at me, the last trace of hope in her gaze slowly faded.

I pressed a hand to my burning cheek. My voice wasn't loud, but it rang out with unmistakable clarity. "See you in court."

Her shoulders trembled violently. Tears streamed down her face as she asked hoarsely, "Matt… are you really leaving no room for anything?"

I didn't look at her. I only faced the crowd surging toward me and said coldly, "Move."

My parents tried to grab me, but I shook them off. Pointing toward the door, I said, "All of you—get out. You're not welcome here."

For the next five days, I turned off my phone and stayed alone in the hotel.

Only on the day of the hearing did I arrive at the courthouse, walking in at the last possible moment.

Victoria sat at the plaintiff's table, her face still pale. Justin sat close beside her, glaring at me with open hostility.

Both sets of parents sat in the gallery—mine sighing heavily, hers staring at me with undisguised fury.

The moment I sat down, my mother leaned in and whispered urgently, "Matt, hurry and apologize to Victoria. Ask for her forgiveness. Your father asked around—given your situation, you'll lose everything in the divorce!"

Justin suddenly stood up and pointed at me. "Matt, stop being so stubborn! Victoria said that as long as you apologize, she can pretend none of this ever happened. Are you really going to walk away from this family with nothing?"

Victoria's father slammed the table. "You ungrateful bastard! It's not too late to beg for forgiveness now. Otherwise, I'll make sure you don't even have a place to live!"

I leaned back in my chair, expression calm, my fingers tapping lightly against the table. I didn't say a single word.

The judge struck the gavel and looked at me sternly.

"Defendant Matt Deegan, the plaintiff, Victoria Parker, accuses you of maliciously filing for divorce after her childbirth and engaging in emotional neglect. Based on the evidence presented, you bear clear fault in this marriage. According to the law, if you have no new evidence, the court will rule that you leave the marriage with nothing."

Everyone present already knew what I had done. Hearing this, they were filled with righteous anger—some looked as though they wished the sentence were even harsher.

The judge frowned slightly at my silence, clearly dissatisfied with my attitude.

Just as the gavel was about to fall and seal the verdict, my lawyer suddenly stood up.

"Your Honor, the defense has new evidence to submit."