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“I’ll take that. I’d never charge you, but he can absolutely run me my money.”
We shared a laugh as approaching footsteps caused us to turn our heads. Raymond, Adora, and his lawyer strolled down the hall and took seats across from us. Raymond glared at me as he rubbed Adora’s stomach. She looked like she was due any day now, and I couldn’t hide my discomfort from seeing her. She was carrying a life with him. While I wished no harm to her innocent baby, I didn’t want to see them together.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. They remained closed until the bailiff called us into the judge’s chambers. We stood until Judge Parker entered the room and motioned for us to sit.
“Good morning,” she spoke to the room. “Today, we are here to discuss the mediation for Sinclaire vs. Sinclaire. Mrs. Sinclaire, you filed a motion going forward after citing Mr. Sinclaire for adultery, abandonment, cruelty, isolation, and emotional distress. You were also seeking alimony and to have him pay for your therapy, correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“May I speak, Your Honor?” Sandra asked. “My client has made some decisions I want to present to the court.”
Judge Parker raised an eyebrow and sat back in her seat. “You may proceed.”
Sandra clasped her hands together as she spoke. “Mrs. Sinclaire has informed me that she wishes to withdraw her petition.”
“Do you care to explain, Mrs. Sinclaire?” the judge asked me.
“Yes, ma’am.” I stood to my feet and smoothed over my blouse. Taking a deep breath, I turned to face her. “Your Honor, I’ve spent the last few years of my life in a state of grief and depression. I lost my parents, and I lost my child. I’ve watched my once-loving husband grow to hate me because those two losses changed me. He made his disdain for me very obvious. There is nothing I want more than to be done with this man and move forward with my life. He can have it all. I only ask that he pay my attorney her fees and my therapy. That’s it. He can keep the alimony and have all the assets.”
She looked at me and then at Raymond, who held a confused look on his face.
“Are you sure, Mrs. Sinclaire? Once I make the ruling, there is no changing it.”
“I’m sure, Your Honor. I’ve spent my entire life being taken care of. First, by my parents, then by my husband. It’s time I stand on my own two feet. I will never give anybody else the power to say I wouldn’t have this or that if it weren’t for them. I’ve thought about this. I’ve prayed about it, and now, it’s out of my hands.”
She smiled softly. “Very well then. It’s so ordered. Mr. Sinclaire, you will pay Mrs. Sinclaire’s attorney and therapy fees and retain ownership of all assets. No alimony is ordered. Divorce will be granted upon the signature of both parties after thirty days.”
“Thank you, Your Honor,” Sandra said.
She nodded as she turned to Raymond. “Mr. Sinclaire, you should count your lucky stars. Any other woman would have taken you for all you are worth. Given the substantial amount of evidence, I would have been inclined to give it to her.” She turned to me. “Mrs. Sinclaire, I hope you go on to have a prosperous life. I pray that you find healing and you continue to do the work to better yourself. I pray that you find love in yourself and the courage to allow someone else to love you too.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.”
She nodded. “Court is adjourned.”
She banged her gavel, and we all stood to leave the room. Raymond and his lawyer walked up ahead of us. As Sandra and I stepped into the hallway, his lawyer approached us with a smug look.
“I was prepared to fight you, Ms. James,” he said, extending his hand.
She looked down at it, then back up at him stoically. “Mr. Davis, you and I both know you wouldn’t have had a chance if things hadn’t taken a turn. As the judge said, your client should thank his lucky stars.”
Raymond’s head snapped around. He started toward us. Adora tried to hold him back, but he snatched away.
“Ms. James, your client was smart to withdraw her petition. Her mental health is her weakness.” He glared at me and smirked. “She will always be weak.”
I smiled. “You know, Raymond... I may be a lot of things. But in thirty days, I will no longer be your concern or your problem, and you will be nothing to me. That’s a win in itself.”
I spun on my heels and strutted away from him with a smile. I didn’t regret my decision. I was stepping into a new era... a brand-new Pasha. For once in my life, I was responsible for myself, and gaining my independence felt so... damn... good.
“Cheers to my girl for being thirty days shy of being a free woman!” Avyn yelled, raising her glass.
I sat in her living room with her, Blake, and Tia, sipping wine. When I called her with the good news after court, she was so happy for me. I’d taken myself out for a predivorce celebratory lunch and eaten to my heart’s content. I then did a little shopping and got my nails and feet done. I was feeling pretty good by the time I got home. I’d taken a nap only to be awakened by Avyn calling and telling me to come upstairs.
When I walked in, she and the girls greeted me with confetti cannons and a round of congratulations. There was a banner and balloons, and they even got me a cake. The topper made me laugh. It was a woman in a wedding dress holding her groom’s head. Avyn commented that Raymond was lucky it was just the topper and not him.
I smiled brightly. “I really appreciate this, you guys.”
Blake waved me off. “Of course, we had to celebrate with you. Sandra said you strutted out of there with your head held high. We are so proud of you, pooh.”
