Dana broke the seal carefully, without looking at Harrison.
The sound was small, almost ridiculous against the tension filling Courtroom 7, but Harrison heard it clearly.
So did Vivienne.
So did every reporter seated behind the attorneys, every clerk pretending not to stare, and every stranger who had come expecting another routine billionaire divorce.
Dana removed several pages and handed them to Judge Margaret Ellis.
“These are preliminary materials only,” she said.
“My client understands that Mr.
Vale has the right to request court-supervised testing.
We are prepared for that immediately.”
Frank Delaney was already reading the copy placed in front of him.
His jaw tightened.
Harrison leaned toward him.
“What does it say?”
Frank lowered his voice.
“It says we need testing.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Frank looked at him then, and Harrison understood that whatever confidence his attorney had carried into the room was gone.
Across the aisle, Lena adjusted Noah against her chest.
The baby slept through everything.
Judge Ellis read in silence for nearly a minute.
Then she set the pages down.
“Mr.
Delaney?”
Frank stood.
“We do not stipulate to paternity, Your Honor.
We request an independent test under court supervision before any finding is made.”
“Expected,” Dana said.
Judge Ellis looked toward Lena.
“Mrs.
Vale, are you agreeable?”
“Yes.”
One word.
No hesitation.
Harrison stared at her.
He had spent years in negotiations where hesitation was information.
A pause could mean weakness.
A glance could mean fear.
A rushed answer could expose uncertainty.
Lena had none.
That disturbed him more than the papers.
“The court will arrange testing,” Judge Ellis said.
“Until parentage is resolved, no party is to make public statements concerning this child.
The divorce proceeding will remain open, and counsel will return when results are available.”
The gavel came down.
The room exploded into movement.
Reporters rose.
Lawyers reached for files.
Court staff moved toward the doors as voices from the hallway grew louder.
Harrison stepped around Frank before anyone could stop him.
“Lena.”
Dana moved between them.
“Not here.”
“I need to talk to my wife.”
Lena looked at him over Dana’s shoulder.
“You needed to talk to me months ago.”
The sentence landed without anger.
