Updated Feb 25, 2026 • ~5 min read
POV: Nix
Day three of trial.
I’m called to the stand.
“Please state your name and occupation.”
“Phoenix Carter. Licensed private investigator.”
“And how did you become involved in this case?”
“Mrs. Moreno hired me two months ago to investigate her husband’s activities.”
“What did your investigation reveal?”
I pull out my report.
Thick file.
Evidence I’ve been collecting for weeks.
“I discovered that Brandon Vale was operating a systematic fraud scheme. He created fake dating profiles using his wife’s identity. He then used these profiles to meet women, gain their trust, and defraud them of money.”
“Can you walk us through your findings?”
I do.
Methodically.
Every piece of evidence.
“I conducted surveillance over a three-week period. I observed Mr. Vale meeting with at least five different women. Each time, he claimed to need money for business emergencies.”
“Did Mrs. Moreno participate in any of these meetings?”
“No. I verified her whereabouts during each meeting. She was always at work or with documented witnesses.”
“So she couldn’t have been involved?”
“Correct. It’s physically impossible.”
“Did you find any evidence suggesting Mrs. Moreno knew about the fraud?”
“None. In fact, I found evidence of the opposite.”
“Can you elaborate?”
“Mrs. Moreno’s financial records show she was unaware of the missing money until I informed her. Her search history shows no knowledge of dating apps. Her phone had no app downloads. She was genuinely shocked when I presented my findings.”
“In your professional opinion, was Mrs. Moreno complicit?”
“Objection. Calls for speculation.”
“I’ll allow it. The witness is an expert.”
“In my professional opinion, based on over a decade of investigative experience, Mrs. Moreno was completely unaware. She’s a victim, not a participant.”
The defense attorney stands for cross-examination.
“Mr. Carter, you were paid by Mrs. Moreno, correct?”
“Yes. Standard hourly rate.”
“So you have financial motivation to support her story.”
“I have professional motivation to find the truth. Which I did.”
“But you’re being paid to testify.”
“I’m being compensated for my time. The testimony is factual.”
“You claim Mrs. Moreno couldn’t have been involved. But couples lie for each other all the time.”
“They do. But the evidence doesn’t support that here.”
“What evidence?”
I lean forward.
Time to bury this guy.
“Timestamps on the dating app messages show they were sent while Mrs. Moreno was photographing weddings. I have contracts, witness statements, and photo metadata proving her location.”
“People can schedule messages—”
“The messages were responsive. Real-time conversations. Not scheduled. And the IP addresses trace to Mr. Vale’s devices. Not hers.”
“Perhaps they shared devices—”
“I examined all devices in the household. Mrs. Moreno’s laptop, phone, and tablet show no dating app activity. No related searches. Nothing.”
“She could have deleted—”
“Forensic analysis would have found traces. There were none.”
The attorney is flustered.
“You seem very invested in protecting Mrs. Moreno.”
“I’m invested in the truth.”
“Or perhaps you’re romantically interested in her?”
My jaw clenches.
“Objection. Relevance?”
“Your Honor, if the witness has personal feelings for Mrs. Moreno, it affects his credibility.”
“I’ll allow it. Answer the question, Mr. Carter.”
Shit.
“My personal feelings are irrelevant to the facts of the case.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“My investigation was thorough and professional. The evidence speaks for itself.”
“Do you have personal feelings for Mrs. Moreno?”
I glance at Gabi in the gallery.
She’s staring at me.
“I respect Mrs. Moreno. She’s my client.”
“That’s still not an answer.”
The judge intervenes.
“Move on, counselor.”
The defense attorney smirks.
“No further questions.”
GABI
Nix steps down from the stand.
Doesn’t look at me.
The defense tried to discredit him by implying we’re romantically involved.
Which we’re not.
Not officially.
But we could be.
Is that what’s stopping him?
The optics?
After court recesses, I catch him in the hallway.
“Nix, wait.”
He turns.
“Hey.”
“That question about personal feelings—”
“Don’t worry about it. Standard defense tactic.”
“But is it true? Do you have personal feelings for me?”
People are walking past us.
This isn’t the place.
“Gabi—”
“I need to know.”
He pulls me into an empty conference room.
Closes the door.
“Yes. Okay? Yes, I have feelings for you. But that doesn’t change the facts of the case. My investigation was legitimate. My testimony was truthful.”
“I know that.”
“Do you? Because that lawyer just planted doubt.”
“Not in me.”
We’re standing close.
Too close.
“This is complicated,” he says.
“Everything about my life is complicated right now.”
“When the trial is over—”
“When the trial is over, what? You’ll finally admit you like me? You’ll ask me out? Or will there be another excuse?”
“That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it?”
“You’re still married, Gabi.”
“Technically. But that marriage is over. Has been for months.”
“The divorce isn’t final.”
“So we wait. Again. For how long?”
“Until it’s appropriate.”
“And who decides when that is? You? Society? When am I allowed to move on?”
He’s quiet.
“I want to move on, Nix. With you. But you keep pushing me away.”
“I’m not pushing you away. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“What if the right thing is being honest about what we both want?”
“And what do we both want?”
I step closer.
“Each other.”
The tension is suffocating.
“After the trial,” he says firmly. “After the divorce. When there’s no question about timing or ethics. Then we can figure this out.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
It’s not the answer I wanted.
But it’s enough.
For now.
END OF CHAPTER 17
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