After my third deployment, my wife filed for divorce. «I’ve met someone better,» she said …

You didn’t do anything wrong. But internally, his tactical mind was racing. The locked cabinet contained his secure laptop with biometric access.

Nothing Perry could easily breach, but the attempt indicated they were getting desperate. That night, after returning the children to Bridget, Roy contacted Franklin. We need to accelerate.

They’re making direct attempts to access classified systems now. The hearing’s in three days, Franklin reminded him. We need Judge Holbrook to understand the full picture.

Not the full picture, Roy corrected. Just enough to protect the children while we spring the trap. I’ve prepared something for the court.

Something that will change everything.

Battleground Court. The family courthouse bustled with activity on the morning of September 15th.

Roy arrived early, dressed in his formal military uniform with service medals displayed, a calculated decision that his attorney had advised against. They’ll accuse you of trying to curry favor with the court, Franklin had warned. I’m not hiding who I am or what I’ve sacrificed, Roy had replied.

Let them attack my service record if they dare. Bridget arrived with Perry and her attorney, looking confident in an expensive suit that Roy had never seen before. The contrast was striking, Roy in his uniform representing duty and service, Bridget and Perry in designer clothes representing their new life built on deception.

Veronica Slate immediately objected to Roy’s uniform. Your Honor, Sergeant Donovan is clearly attempting to bias the court with this military theater. Judge Alberta Holbrook, a stern woman in her 60s with a reputation for fairness, peered over her glasses.

Ms. Slate, service members have the right to wear their uniforms in court. Objection overruled. The initial proceedings followed predictable patterns.

Bridget’s attorney painted Roy as an absent father whose dangerous occupation and multiple deployments made him unsuitable for significant custody. She emphasized Roy’s paranoid behavior since returning home, including stalking Bridget and Perry and making unfounded accusations. Mrs. Donovan has been the primary caregiver throughout the children’s lives while Sergeant Donovan chose repeated overseas deployments, Veronica argued.

Now he returns and expects to disrupt the stable environment she’s created. Furthermore, his disturbing allegations against Mr. Wexler, a respected pharmaceutical representative who has been a positive influence in these children’s lives, demonstrate his instability. When it was Franklin’s turn, he took a different approach than Roy had expected.

Your Honor, my client has indeed served three combat deployments, protecting the very freedoms that allow us to be in this courtroom today. During those deployments, he continued to support his family financially and emotionally as best he could from thousands of miles away. What he didn’t expect was to return home to discover his wife had not only violated their marriage vows but potentially compromised national security in the process.

Veronica Slate immediately objected. These outrageous accusations have no place in a custody hearing. I’m inclined to agree, Counselor.

Judge Holbrook said to Franklin, unless you have evidence relevant to the welfare of these children, I suggest you focus on custody factors. The evidence is directly relevant to the children’s welfare, Your Honor, Franklin replied calmly. Because Mr. Wexler, who Mrs. Donovan is requesting be allowed to live in the family home with the children, is not who he claims to be.

The courtroom stirred as Franklin presented documentation showing discrepancies in Perry’s identity and employment history. He carefully avoided mentioning the classified intelligence Roy had accessed, instead focusing on public records and legally obtained information that raised serious questions about Perry’s character and intentions. Bridget looked increasingly uncomfortable, whispering frantically to her attorney while Perry maintained a practiced, dismissive smile.

When Veronica Cross examined Roy, she went on the offensive. Sergeant Donovan, isn’t it true that you installed surveillance equipment in the family home without your wife’s knowledge or consent? I installed a security system with cameras in common areas before my third deployment, Roy answered truthfully, for the family’s protection. My wife was aware of the system.

And did you use this system to spy on her? I used it to secure my home and family while I was deployed in service to our country. Please answer the question directly, Sergeant. I reviewed security footage when I had concerns about unknown individuals accessing my home.

That’s what security systems are for. Veronica changed tactics. Isn’t it true that your PTSD and combat experiences have made you paranoid and prone to seeing threats where none exist? I’ve never been diagnosed with PTSD, Roy stated firmly, and my training in threat assessment is actually quite relevant here.

Relevant how? Do you view your wife as a threat, Sergeant? Roy looked directly at Bridget. I view anyone who endangers my children’s welfare as a threat, Counselor. The morning testimony concluded with character witnesses for both parties.

Roy’s commanding officers testified to his integrity and dedication, while Bridget presented neighbors and school officials who attested to her active involvement in the children’s lives. After lunch recess, Judge Holbrook addressed both parties. I’ve reviewed the preliminary evidence and testimony.

While I find Sergeant Donovan’s concerns about Mr. Wexler troubling, I’m not seeing sufficient evidence that would impact a custody determination at this time. She turned to Bridget. Mrs. Donovan, the court acknowledges your role as primary caregiver, but also recognizes Sergeant Donovan’s right to meaningful relationship with his children despite his military service obligations.

To Roy, Sergeant, your service is commendable, but this court must prioritize the children’s need for stability. The judge’s preliminary comments suggested she was leaning toward granting Bridget primary physical custody with liberal visitation for Roy, exactly what Bridget and Perry wanted and exactly what Roy had anticipated. Before I make my ruling, Judge Holbrook continued, does either party have anything further to add? This was the moment Roy had been waiting for.

He turned to Franklin, who nodded almost imperceptibly. Your Honor, Roy said, standing. I have one document I’d like to submit to the court.

He approached the bench with a single sheet of paper, the culmination of months of intelligence work verified by military intelligence and the FBI. The document contained no classified information, only the results of their investigation into Perry Wexler slash Pavel Resnick, including his connections to foreign intelligence operations and the financial trail linking him to Bridget. Judge Holbrook’s eyes widened as she read…