Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Nicholas Ashford retains full primary custody of minor children: Mack and Amelie. Mr. Ashford will provide health insurance for the minor children and pay two-thirds of Amelie’s care while living with Aubrey Ashford. Mr. Ashford will pay for a full-time caretaker while Amelie is in the care of Mrs. Ashford. In lieu of spousal support, Mr. Ashford will pay the fee on the rental home, as long as Amelie is in the care of Mrs. Ashford. Payments will cease when Amelie returns to the United States.
While in the care of Mrs. Ashford, Amelie will attend the International School at the expense of Mr. Ashford.
At the time of this decree the extracurricular activities Amelie participates in are as follows: Dance. Foreign Language Club. Soccer. These expenses will be covered by Mr. Ashford. Any changes to activities will require Mr. Ashford’s approval. If Mrs. Ashford wishes to add an activity, it will be at her expense.
The residence in Beaumont, as well as the private medical practice will remain with Mr. Ashford. Within one year from the date of the dissolution of marriage, Mr. Ashford will refinance the home and bequeath one-third of the profits to Mrs. Ashford. The remainder will go into a trust for the minor children.
After a while, the words blur. I can’t believe this is what my marriage comes down to—words on a piece of paper—dictating what I’m going to pay so Amelie isn’t struggling. It’s a crap shoot that Aubrey’s going to sign this. Something tells me she wants money. Aubrey wants a divorce, not a trial. A judge here can only issue spousal maintenance. My lawyer is banking on Aubrey signing and walking away.
I’m not sure if I expect her to fight me for custody. I don’t want Amelie staying with Aubrey for the foreseeable future, but I will listen to what my daughter wants. After all, her happiness is what’s important here. I am willing to concede and let Amelie stay as long as she wants. Last week, she didn’t want to stay. This week, she does. I expect she’ll change her mind again, and again.
The entire thing makes me sick. I hate that my family is torn apart, that I failed at keeping it together. It’s the worst feeling in the world, hearing your wife tell you she wants a divorce. What’s worse is the way she looked at me when she said it. Any love I thought we shared was gone. The thing is, I don’t know where it went because weeks ago, she told me she wanted things to work between us.
What changed?
I close my laptop, turn off the television and make my way into the small bedroom that’ll be mine until I either find another place or my contract ends. Part of me is willing to suck it up. I’m only here to sleep and I don’t need much so I’ll put up with the twin bed that’s situated in the far corner. Amelie, however, deserves a better place to live in. Then again, Aubrey wanted her to live in a village. The divorce decree will prevent that.
Outside, lights shine into my window from people coming and going. I stare at the ceiling. There are patches of plaster. Holes filled in, but not sanded or painted. Just globs of white cement all over the ceiling, waiting to fall down on an unsuspecting sleeping man. Sort of like my life.
After work, I head to the mediator’s office. I’m not sure how my attorney found this place, but they are willing to be the go between with my lawyer. With my hand poised on the door handle, I glance across the street and come to a sudden stop. My wife is there, in the arms of another man. He hooks some of her hair behind her ear and stares down at her tenderly. When he leans down and kisses her, every part of me is torn. Do I say something or ignore it?
I say nothing as I walk into the office. She doesn’t want me, and I shouldn’t care. Except I do because I want to know how long she has been with this man. From what I saw, they looked comfortable with each other, and people who just started dating don’t normally express themselves with a lip lock on the street. They don’t engage in PDA or give loving looks to each other. Not to mention, it’s been a week since we called it quits for good. Did she really move on this fast? I’m trying not to let what I saw sting, but it does. I am only human after all.
Aubrey walks in, straightening her hair as she comes toward me. Her lips are red, and I know it’s from being kissed. I’ve seen them enough to know. She sits next to me and has the nerve to smile. I smirk and think about when it’ll be the perfect time to bring up what I saw.