No direct financial investment. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying. How dare he? How dare they both?
I glanced at Brandon. He was nodding along with his lawyer’s words, that same cold expression on his face. This was the man who used to hold me when I came home at two in the morning, so tired I could barely stand.
The man who used to kiss my rough hands and promise me that someday he’d take care of me the way I was taking care of him.
«Furthermore,» the lawyer said, pulling out some papers, «Dr. Pearce has generously offered to allow Mrs. Morrison to keep her personal belongings and her vehicle, a 2015 Honda Civic. He asks for nothing from her, as she has nothing of value to offer. He simply wishes to move forward with his life.»
Nothing of value to offer. Something inside me cracked when I heard those words. Six years. Six years of my life, my youth, my dreams. Nothing of value.
I looked up at Maggie. She was staring at Brandon’s lawyer with an expression that would have been scary if I didn’t know her so well. She was angry. Really angry.
When Brandon’s lawyer finally sat down, looking pleased with himself, Maggie stood up.
«Your Honour,» she said, her voice steady and strong, «if I may present evidence that directly contradicts everything we just heard.»
Judge Henderson nodded. «Please proceed.»
Maggie turned to me and gave me a small nod. This was it. The moment we’d prepared for. My hands shook as I reached down to the bag at my feet.
The manila envelope felt heavy, like it contained the weight of six years. I stood up, my legs feeling weak, and walked toward the judge’s bench. The courtroom was completely silent, except for my footsteps.
I could feel Brandon’s eyes on me, probably wondering what I was doing. I could feel everyone watching. When I reached Judge Henderson, I held out the envelope.
She took it with a professional nod, and I walked back to my seat, my heart pounding so hard I thought everyone could hear it. Judge Henderson opened the envelope and pulled out the documents inside.
There were several pages, and I watched as her eyes moved across them, reading. At first, her expression was neutral, professional. Then something changed.
Her eyebrows went up. She flipped to the next page, and her eyes widened slightly. She looked up at Brandon, then back down at the papers.