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)
The mediator calls us into the small, cramped office. It’s too close for comfort and I want the door to stay open for air flow and a quick escape when Aubrey starts with her crocodile tears.
“I’m assuming you’ve looked over the decree?” the mediator asks.
I nod and Aubrey sighs.
“Yes, and it’s not okay,” she says. “I need spousal maintenance. I haven’t worked much during the marriage and don’t have any assets.”
The mediator nods.
“You have a job that pays you two thousand a month, no bills, and I’m paying your rent.”
“So?”
“Okay, the alternative is I don’t pay your rent and you can have it in spousal maintenance.”
“You’re only willing to pay as long as Amelie is living here.”
I shrug. “And I’m going to refinance the house. You get one-third of the profits.” A house she paid absolutely nothing for because when she was working, she sent her money to her parents. I never told her otherwise because I knew it was important to her.
“Maybe there’s another solution?” the mediator asked.
“There has to be,” Aubrey says. “I have to have income to live.”
“You keep one hundred percent of your earnings, Aubrey. I’m paying for everything for the kids. Healthcare, education, extracurricular activities, and a caregiver, which wouldn’t be needed if we were living back in the states.”
She looks at the mediator as if they should say something. The settlement is more than generous considering the circumstances.
“You just want to be back there because of Josie,” she mumbles. I don’t know if she didn’t expect me to hear her or what, but I did and use it as an opening.
“Who is the man I saw you kissing?”
Aubrey looks at me with fake confusion on her face.
“Don’t, Aubrey. I saw you across the street. It wasn’t some friendly peck on the cheek. Who is he and how long have you been seeing him?”
She says nothing. Her silence hits me straight in the chest. It’s not that she thinks I’ve been cheating, it’s her, I’m sure of it. I’m sure of it.
“How long, Aubrey?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
I scoff and wish we were anywhere else having this discussion. “It matters. Did you break our family apart and move across the world for some guy you met on the internet? Or do you know him from when you lived here?”
She stares at the mediator, who is looking down at the papers on the table.
“Take the offer, Aubrey, or I’ll push this further.”
“And when you take Amelie from me, then what?”
I shrug. “That won’t be my problem. I’m willing to pay for your rent while she is with you. When she tells me she’s ready to go home, which I know she is now, we’re gone.”
“You promised me Mack would be here.”
Another shrug. “He’s old enough to make his own decisions about where he wants to live. Right now, he’s thriving in Beaumont. I’m not going to allow you to interrupt his life anymore.”
It takes a while, but Aubrey nods. The mediator says they’ll have the final paperwork ready for us to sign in a couple of days. I’m out of my seat and the office as fast as I can move. There isn’t a need or desire to stay in Aubrey’s presence anymore.
“Nick!” Aubrey screams my name as I head down the street. I stop and turn.
“What?”
“You really think it’s okay to screw me over like this?”
“I did no such thing, Aubrey. The deal is fair.”
“When you take Amelie, I won’t have the money to pay rent.”
“Then move,” I tell her. “Find a smaller place or ask your friend. I’m sure he’ll help you. Better yet, ask your parents for all the money you sent them during our marriage. I can add that you worked and never added to the household income. You don’t think I have those records?”
“Why are you being such an ass?”
“Because . . .” I point my finger in her direction and then shake my head. “You lied, Aubrey. I don’t know when you started, but I’m sure if I go back and start looking at things, I’ll be able to figure it out. You lied to me. To us. To our children. It’s all starting to make sense now, the sudden urge to move. You put yourself before the kids and that’ll never be okay with me.”
“You drove me into the arms of another man.”
I hang my head and groan. “You’re right,” I say. “Treating you like you were the best damn thing to ever happen to me, worshiping you, putting you first . . . yep, I’m the bad guy here.” I start to turn away but have more to say. Facing her, I say, “I never cheated on you. I never even looked at another woman. From the moment I met you, you were it for me. My life. You did this, Aubrey. You chose this for yourself.”