“Every late night at book club that probably wasn’t book club.”
“Every girl’s weekend that probably wasn’t with girls.”
I hear the pain in his voice and I feel it too. We’re both grieving the same thing. The loss of the people we thought we married.
“I’m meeting with a lawyer this afternoon,” I tell him.
“I have a friend who knows someone. A real shark apparently.”
“Good.” Make him pay.
“That’s the plan.”
We’re quiet for a moment.
“Hey,” Nathan says, “I know this is weird, but do you want to grab coffee sometime?”
“I feel like you’re the only person who actually understands what this is like.”
“Yeah,” I say. “I’d like that.”
We make plans for next week after we’ve both had a chance to talk to lawyers and start figuring out the practical details of blowing up our lives.
After we hang up, I call Derrick’s mother and ask if Madison can stay one more night. I tell her Dererick and I are dealing with some things. She doesn’t push for details, thank God. Just says,
“Of course, Madison can stay as long as we need.”
Then I make myself breakfast, shower, get dressed, and go meet with the shark.
Her name is Patricia. Chen in her office is downtown in one of those buildings with marble floors and expensive art. She’s in her 50s, impeccably dressed with silver hair pulled back in a bun and glasses that make her look like a stern librarian. But when she shakes my hand, her grip is firm and her smile is kind.
“Jennifer spoke very highly of you,” she says as we settle into her office.
“She said, You have quite a story.”
I tell her everything. She takes notes, asks questions, doesn’t interrupt except for clarification. When I’m done, she sits back in her chair and studies me.
“You have a very strong case,” she says.
“Adultery, evidence of the affair, documentation.”
“In this state, that matters, especially when it comes to asset division.”
“What about custody?” I ask.
“Madison, that’s my priority.”
“Given the circumstances, and assuming Dererick doesn’t have any significant issues that would affect his fitness as a parent beyond the affair, we’ll likely be looking at joint custody.”
“But we can push for primary physical custody with you, given that you’ve been the primary caretaker.”
My stomach sinks.
“He gets to see her unless there’s abuse or neglect.”
“Yes, he’s still her father.”
I hate that. I hate that Dererick gets to destroy our family and still get to be a part-time dad. That Madison will have to spend weekends at his new apartment, probably eventually meeting Vanessa if they stay together.
But Patricia is already moving on.
“Now, let’s talk about assets, the house, savings, retirement accounts.”
“I’m going to need detailed financial records, bank statements, credit cards, investment portfolios, everything.”
We spend the next hour going through the logistics of dismantling a 15-year marriage.
By the time I leave her office, I have a plan. A real one. Not just revenge, but actual steps toward a future that doesn’t include Derek. It feels terrifying and liberating at the same time.
Dererick shows up at the house that evening. I see his car pull into the driveway through the window. Watch him try his key in the lock. Watch him realize it doesn’t work. He rings the doorbell. I don’t answer. He rings again. Then he starts knocking.
“Amber, I know you’re in there.”
“Please, we need to talk.”
I walk to the door, but don’t open it.
“Go away, Derek.”
“Just let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain.”
“I know everything.”
“I have proof of everything, and I’ve already filed for divorce.”
Silence on the other side of the door.
“You You filed this morning.”
“You’ll be served the papers at work tomorrow.”
“My lawyer wanted to make sure you got them somewhere public.”
“Amber, please don’t do this.”
“Think about Madison.”
“I am thinking about Madison.”
“I’m thinking about how her father betrayed her mother for 7 months.”
“I’m thinking about how you brought your mistress around her without her knowing.”
“I’m thinking about how you were planning to leave us.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Vanessa said you were last night at dinner.”
“She said you told her you were waiting for the right time to tell me.”
“So, which is it, Derek? Were you planning to leave or was she lying?”
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