“What we see here is not a common marital argument or a financial disagreement,” the judge stated loudly. “It is a clear pattern of criminal control exerted against a woman inside her own home, with the active participation and benefit of third parties.”

Derek asked to speak before the final ruling. His lawyer tried to stop him, but he insisted on standing, his eyes rimmed red.

“I made a mistake, Your Honor,” he said, his voice trembling. “But Skylar knows how to provoke me too, and I was under enormous pressure because my sister was unwell and my family needed financial support.

I never thought a cup would end it all.”

Skylar felt a sharp pang in her chest—not of love, but of pure exhaustion. Even in his apology to the court, he still blamed her for his own violence.

The judge looked at him with stern disapproval.