AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Statements from her bank showing you took all her savings. And as for Star Pots, it’s taken a while, but we’ve got all the evidence we need to show how you took money from the business account without the proper authority. It’s my business.’ She put her phone back in her pocket.
‘Half your business.’ Simon shot back.
‘Fifty-one per cent is mine, so I think you’ll find it’s more mine than yours.’ Stella calmed her voice as much as she could. ‘Now, I want a divorce and I have some very simple terms. I want the house and business back in my name. You will see the children every other weekend, once I know where you are living and I’m happy it’s a good environment for them to be in. We’ll agree on the financials. And…’
He went to speak, then closed his mouth again.
‘And as long as everything is done in a civil manner as quickly as possible, we won’t take the evidence to the police.’
Simon looked at her, his eyes blazed. ‘We?’
Stella didn’t flinch. ‘Me and Emily.’
‘You wouldn’t dare!’ His voice rose. ‘Do you really want to put the children through that?’
‘Of course not. But I would if it meant protecting them from you doing any more damage to this family.’ Stella’s eyes were steady.
‘You can’t threaten me.’ Simon’s face reddened, his voice now slow and deep and angry. She’d never heard him sound so menacing.
‘No, Simon, you can’t threaten me. This is how it’s going to be unless you want everyone, including your children, to know the truth about you. About your lying, deceitful behaviour. Your choice. You can either turn up and be a good father to them and I won’t tell them what you’ve done, or you disappear for good. I don’t want you hurting them any more than you already have. This isn’t about you, for god’s sake, Simon. You can’t just pick and choose where and when you show up in life when it comes to your own children. Technically, you shouldn’t do that to the person you marry either, but clearly it’s too late for that.’ She delivered the words calmly and deliberately, much to her own surprise.
Simon started laughing, slow-clapping Stella. ‘Wow, look at you.’
Stella’s eyes flashed with anger, but she continued in the same measured tone. ‘No, Simon. Look at you. You left me for another woman, who, as we both know, is ridiculously wealthy, not to mention ridiculously married. I’m not sure when you were planning to tell me that part…’
‘Now, you listen to me.’ Simon stood up from the bench and turned to face her.
‘Please, go ahead. I’ve been waiting to hear this for a long time.’ She sat back and re-crossed her legs.
‘Like I said, it’s not what you think. In fact, I’d been unhappy for some time.’
‘Really? Then why didn’t you tell me?’
He shook his head again. ‘You wouldn’t understand.’
‘Try me.’ Stella tilted her head to one side, looking at him.
Simon opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish for a few seconds, then shut it.
Stella waited for him to say something.
He sat back down again. ‘I didn’t mean for this to happen.’ Simon shifted uncomfortably, leaning forwards, then back. He still couldn’t look at Stella.
‘Where the hell have you been all this time? You left everything behind!’
‘It all happened so fast. At first, I thought it was just… Annabel was, is, very determined.’
‘Please don’t tell me you’re going to blame her for what’s happened. Simon, take some bloody responsibility!’ Stella couldn’t hide the exasperation from her voice. It was like dealing with a toddler who’d grown bored with his toys. ‘Just tell me why, Simon. I really want to know.’
Again, Simon said nothing.
Stella steeled herself, taking a breath. ‘OK, if you can’t answer that, tell me how the hell you can leave your children like that? Have you thought how they might feel in all of this?’
‘Of course I have! Every day I think about that, Stella. I know you think I’m a terrible father for doing what I’ve done…’
‘It’s doesn’t matter what I think now! It’s how they feel, Simon. You’ve left them, they’re wondering what they did wrong. And I’m the one left trying to reassure them that you’ll be back, or maybe not, but that they mustn’t worry. But I don’t have any idea what you’re thinking or what you’re doing, let alone why you’ve done what you’ve done.’
Simon slumped over, his head in his hands.
