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“Please advise your client to keep his personal comments regarding Mrs. Rhodes to himself during these proceedings.” Sonya aimed a pointed look at the lawyer seated opposite them.
His lawyer told David to keep his mouth shut. Not in those words exactly, but that was the gist of what he said. Sonya opened her file folder and drew out the draft of their divorce agreement, all marked up and with little plastic tabs indicating points of contention. David’s lawyer did the same.
“Mrs. Rhodes will not pay spousal support to Mr. Rhodes,” Sonya began. “In exchange, she’s willing to let him have their house and the autobody shop in Oregon without Mr. Rhodes having to pay her equity in either.” Sonya glanced at David. “She’s entitled to half the equity in both properties.”
“Nope.” David shook his head. “She’s making millions. I’m the one who managed her career. I’m the one who got her into the Star Launch contest in the first place, so I’m entitled to—”
“Managed my career?” Theresa blurted. “All you did was sign me up for an audition I didn’t even want to do. That’s the sum total of your—”
“Whatever, Theresa. If it weren’t for me, you’d still be the nobody loser you’ve always been.” He pointed his thumb at his chest. “I’m the only reason you’re making the big bucks now, so I deserve half of everything you earn in the future.”
“You’re only entitled to a portion of what I’ve earned as a singer prior to our legal separation. That’s the law, and you’ve already helped yourself to far more than your share.” She had the bank statements to prove it, too.
According to David, everything she’d ever accomplished had been because of him and not due to her talent, perseverance, and hard work. That included earning her teaching degree. He’d never even offered to pitch in to help with their toddler or the housework while she took classes and worked part time at their autobody shop.
David’s smug look set her even more on edge than she already was. Her lawyer opened her mouth to reply just as someone knocked softly on the door and opened it a crack. “Here are the copies you asked for, Sonya.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Kathryn.” Sonya rose from the table and accepted the large manila envelope from her assistant. “Under California law, you don’t qualify for spousal support, Mr. Rhodes. You’re able to work, and you have sufficient income from your business in Oregon to support yourself. Mrs. Rhodes is being extremely generous in her offer to give you the house and the business you two share.”
Sonya shot Theresa a meaningful look, a look that said brace yourself as she returned to her seat. “My client is petitioning for full legal and physical custody of her two minor children.”
“Now wait just a minute!” David shot up from his chair. “I love my boys, Theresa. You know I do. Kids need their dad, and I—”
“The children’s health, safety, and welfare are of paramount importance.” Sonya opened the envelope, pulled out a stack of 8 x 10 photos and spread them out on the table. All of them had been date-stamped.
A number of the photos had been taken a year ago when she’d begun to suspect David’s infidelity and had sought legal advice. The one shot through a window, showing him in bed with another woman, had been taken when David had still been living with—and still sharing a bed with—Theresa. David and his girlfriend were snorting lines off a handheld mirror.
The photos sickened her, and she averted her gaze. She should be glad the private investigator Sonya had recommended exceeded all her expectations. Instead, she could hardly breathe, and her face burned with humiliation.
A few photos showed David in different locations snorting cocaine and drinking. Two were at parties where a lot of drug paraphernalia was in plain sight. One had been taken through the open balcony doors of his rented third-floor apartment. He was alone, lines of white and a narrow straw before him on the coffee table … next to a bottle of whiskey and a half-full glass.
Her lawyer slid a picture on the table forward, showing David passed out on the sidewalk with his back against the brick wall in front of a popular nightclub in Los Angeles. The glass from his last drink still dangled from his fingers. Lastly, she presented a copy of David’s most recent DWI citation—not his first—and slid the paper closer to David’s lawyer.
The thought of her sons in a car or anywhere near their dad while he was under the influence of alcohol or narcotics chilled her to the bone. Not going to happen.
Sonya’s gaze went to David’s lawyer. “Mr. Rhodes is unfit to parent their two minor children. For their safety, I’m recommending he not be allowed visitation without first passing both a drug test and a breathalyzer test. Even then his time with the two minor children must be supervised.”
Sonya shifted her intense look David’s way. “Mr. Rhodes, we are legally bound to file a report with child protective services when the safety and custody of minor children are at issue. That has been done. Your lawyer will receive a copy of our report this week, along with copies of these photos and more.”
David’s face turned scarlet. “You bitch!” He glared at Theresa before storming out of the room.
David’s lawyer stacked his papers together and stuffed them into his briefcase. “My client and I will get back with you within the week,” he said, heading for the door.
“Good.” Sonya leaned back in her chair.
The minute the conference door closed, Theresa deflated. Her shoulders slumped forward, and tears clogged her throat and eyes. “Well, that’s done at least.”
“Yes, and I’m sure David’s lawyer will convince him to agree to your terms. This is not a case he can win if it goes to court, and his lawyer knows that.” Sonya put the divorce petition back into its folder. “Theresa, don’t accept the blame David will try to heap on you for the mess he’s made of his life. He’s an adult. None of his behaviors are your fault.”
“I know.” Yet, shame and guilt twisted her insides. Not for David’s actions, but for the failure, the breakup of her family, and the effect the divorce would have on her sons. What could she have done differently? Should she have refused to audition for the televised singing competition? She’d only gone through with the contest because David had pushed so hard. She’d never imagined she’d win. Honestly, she’d never believed she’d make it through the first round of auditions.
“You were smart not to tip David off about the private investigator, Theresa. Either out of anger, or in the hope that the behaviors will stop, so many spouses show their hands. Doing so often puts the wronged party in an extremely vulnerable position.”
Sonya rose from the table. “Did you close your joint accounts like I advised? It’s official now. You’re legally separated. You need to protect your assets, and free yourself from any debts David might be incurring.”
“Yes, and I just paid off and closed our last remaining joint credit card. David is in for a nasty surprise.” She should feel victorious, vindicated. Instead, a hollow kind of numbness had taken up residence in her chest.
“He’ll want to settle quickly now that he no longer has access to your income.”
