Doesn't mean a judge will give it to him. What do I do? Nothing. I'll handle it. But Elena, yes.
Document everything. Every text, every call, every interaction. Men like your ex don't stop at one attempt. The lawyer was right. David called that afternoon.
Elena almost didn't answer, but something made her pick up. What do you want? That's how you greet your husband? Ex-husband. The divorce isn't final yet.
It will be. David's voice turned cold. I need you to sign some additional paperwork. The house appraisal came in higher than expected. So, so I'm entitled to half the appreciation value during our marriage.
Elena almost laughed. You kicked me out. That's not how the law works. My lawyer disagrees. Silence.
Your lawyer. David's tone changed. You can't afford a lawyer. Apparently, I can. Where are you getting money, Elena?
None of your business. It is my business if you're hiding assets. I don't have assets. I have exactly $8 in a borrowed phone charger. Then who's paying for your lawyer?
Elena smiled. A friend?. You don't have friends. The words should have hurt. They didn't because they weren't true anymore.
Sign the settlement as written, Elena said calmly. Or don't. Either way, I'm done negotiating with you. She hung up. Her hands were shaking, but she felt powerful.
Mason found her in the kitchen 20 minutes later. You okay? I heard you on the phone. I'm fine. Actually, I'm better than fine.
Yeah. I just told David to go to hell. Mason grinned. How'd that feel? Amazing.
Good. You should do it more often. The weekend brought chaos. Sophie had a birthday party to attend. Ethan needed new cleats for spring soccer.
Mara wanted to go to an art supply store across town. Elena coordinated it all. She drove Sophie to the party and stayed to make sure she was comfortable. Took Ethan to three different sporting goods stores to find the right cleats. Spent 2 hours with Mara in the art store, listening to her explain different types of charcoal.
By the time they got home, Elena was exhausted, but happy. Mason was in the kitchen making dinner. "How'd it go? " he asked. "Good. Sophie made a friend.
Ethan found cleats. Mara bought enough art supplies to open her own store. Sounds expensive. Your credit card survived. " Mason laughed. I'm less worried about my credit card than I am about where she's going to put all that stuff.
Her room. Probably on the floor. Of course. They worked together to finish dinner. It felt natural, easy, like they'd been doing this for years instead of weeks.