Chapter 3 - The Paperwork of Betrayal
The office of Evelyn Vance, Philadelphia’s most formidable divorce attorney, was located on the forty-fifth floor of a glass skyscraper overlooking the Delaware River. The office was sleek, modern, and quiet, smelling of expensive leather and old money.
Catherine sat across the desk from Evelyn, a sharp, elegant woman in her fifties who looked like she had never lost a battle in her life. Rachel sat beside Catherine, while Grace slept peacefully in her stroller nearby.
"The situation is straightforward, but highly contentious," Evelyn said, laying out several financial documents. "Michael Harrison’s real estate firm, Harrison Group, is currently in the middle of a multi-million dollar merger with a European investment trust. He cannot afford any public scandals right now. A high-profile divorce alleging adultery and spousal abandonment during childbirth would ruin the merger and tank his stock value."
"That’s exactly what we want," Rachel said, her eyes gleaming. "We want to ruin him."
"We want justice, Rachel, but more importantly, we want security for Catherine and Grace," Evelyn corrected gently, before turning back to Catherine. "Catherine, your husband’s attorney has already sent over an initial settlement offer. It’s... insulting, to say the least."
She handed Catherine a document. Catherine scanned the pages, her anger rising with every line she read.
"A lump-sum payment of fifty thousand dollars, a modest two-bedroom townhouse in the suburbs, and joint custody with no alimony," Catherine read aloud, her voice trembling with indignation. "And a strict non-disclosure agreement preventing me from ever speaking about his relationship with Amber Collins."
"He’s trying to buy your silence on the cheap because he thinks you’re desperate," Evelyn said. "But we have a major card to play. Dr. Brooks has provided us with a certified medical statement detailing the circumstances of your delivery, including the phone call from Amber. Furthermore, I’ve hired a private investigator who has already secured footage of Michael and Amber entering a luxury hotel in Atlantic City three weeks ago—while you were eight months pregnant."
Catherine closed her eyes, a sharp pain blooming in her chest. Even though she knew the truth, seeing it confirmed on legal documents made it feel like a fresh wound.
"Are you okay, Catherine?" Evelyn asked gently.
"I am," Catherine said, opening her eyes, her gaze clear and cold. "I don't want his mercy, Evelyn. I want what is legally mine, and I want sole custody of Grace. I will not allow a man who abandoned his daughter before she was even born to have a say in how she is raised."
"Then we reject their offer and file our own petition," Evelyn smiled, a shark-like expression. "We will demand seventy percent of the marital assets, the main estate, full child support, lifetime alimony, and sole legal and physical custody of Grace. We will also subpoena Amber Collins to testify under oath regarding her relationship with your husband."
As they signed the initial filing papers, Catherine felt a strange sense of empowerment. For eleven years, she had been "Michael's wife," the quiet, supportive partner who stayed in the background while he built his empire. Now, she was Catherine Bennett again—strong, independent, and fighting for her child’s future.
When they left the office, Catherine’s phone buzzed. It was a text message from an unknown number.
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“You think you’re smart, Catherine? You’re going to lose everything. Michael belongs to me now, and he’s going to ruin you. Enjoy your little baby while you still have her.” – Amber.
Catherine stared at the screen, her blood running cold. The threat wasn't just financial anymore. Amber was unraveling, and a desperate, jealous woman was capable of anything.
