Chapter 5 - The Calm Before the Storm
The night before the final divorce and asset allocation hearing, I couldn't sleep.
Tomorrow was the day the judge would decide if I kept my company, or if Jason's fraudulent trust would be validated.
I stood in front of my mirror.
I traced the raised, jagged pink lines on my shoulders and arms.
For a year, I had hidden them out of shame.
I had let Jason convince me that I was clumsy, that I was broken, that I deserved it.
I opened my closet and looked at the clothes.
I bypassed the conservative pantsuits I usually wore to court.
Instead, I chose a sleeveless, tailored black dress.
Over it, I wore a heavy, expensive white winter coat.
Daniel called me at 6:00 AM.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"I want to ruin him, Daniel."
"Oh, we will," Daniel replied smoothly. "We have the bank records, we have the trust documents, we have the audio, and we have the medical report. But remember, let him hang himself first."
I arrived at the courthouse early.
The air was cold, crisp, and unforgiving.
I walked into the building, keeping my head down, playing the part of the defeated woman one last time.
The courtroom was empty except for the bailiff and the court reporter.
I sat at the plaintiff's table.
Daniel sat next to me, his briefcase resting like a loaded weapon on the wood.
Then, the heavy oak doors opened.
I didn't look back, but I could hear his footsteps.
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Confident. Arrogant.
It was time.
