Page 2 of Fake it For Good
“She didn’t need a job,” he said and got to his feet. “She had you, her golden goose.”
“Such bullshit,” I said again.
“I’ll meet you there,” he said. “Try not to look so pissed. If we want the judge to have any sympathy for you, you need to look like the wounded party.”
“I am the wounded party.”
I left his office and headed for the courthouse. Today was bittersweet. It would be the end of a very long, grueling divorce proceeding and the end of a horrible marriage. It was also an end to my life as I knew it. I wasn’t going to be destitute by any means, but I was losing a lot. I didn’t give a shit about the house or the boat. My dog wasn’t even really my dog. The damn thing was one of those accessories that women carried around in stupid purses. I didn’t fight for the dog because it was Kelly’s dog and I wasn’t a monster—unlike her.
The plans for expansion for the company would have to wait. I couldn’t hire the people I wanted to. I couldn’t put new toys into production. Research and development were going to have to be slimmed down, all because she was a greedy, cheating bitch.
“Hello, husband.”
The voice was worse than nails on a chalkboard. It was physically painful to hear my soon-to-be ex-wife’s voice. I could practically feel the dagger in my back. She had plunged it in over and over and over. Today would be the last time she got to do that.
“Don’t call me that,” I said with a sneer.
She laughed because she knew she was winning. That made it all so much worse. “This is your last chance to change your mind,” she said behind the large black sunglasses she wore everywhere. They were designer and cost a small fortune, just like the jewelry she wore to accessorize the plain black dress suit that was also designer.
“What would I change my mind about?” I asked.
“Stop the divorce and we’ll go back to normal.” She shrugged.
“It would be a cold day in hell before that happened,” I told her.
“Cane, really, you’re being very shortsighted,” she said with a shake of her head. “You’re going to lose in there. My lawyer has assured me I will walk out of this court a very wealthy woman.”
“And I will walk out a free man,” I replied. “I will never have to see you again. You will not get another dime out of me.”
“My lawyer thinks I can get half your company and alimony,” she said.
“You won’t.”
“I might,” she countered. “Just call off this stupid divorce. You know you don’t want to divorce me.”
“I have never been more sure about anything in my life, Kelly.”
“Stop acting like you are hurt,” she said with disgust. “It’s not like we actually loved each other. That stopped a long time ago.”
“Whatever.”
“I can’t believe you’re putting me through this humiliating divorce,” she hissed. “You act like I’m the only person in the world that has ever had an affair.”
“You’re the only person in the world that has ever cheated on me,” I said. “And you will be the last.”
“I’m taking your company,” she spat. “You’re going to be sorry you ever started this game. With the money I get today, I’m starting my own company. I know all your secrets. I’m going to build a toy company that rivals yours. You think losing half was bad? Just wait until I crush you. Your little dolls and building blocks will be a distant memory. Your toy company is going to go bankrupt. I’ll dominate the industry.”
“Good luck with that,” I said and walked away.
I joined Ronnie at the table and waited for my fate to be handed down. Kelly came in and removed her sunglasses. She had almost no makeup on, which was a rarity for her. She had a tissue balled up in her hand and looked downright pitiful as she sat next to her lawyer. I listened to her attorney lay out the case for granting Kelly half of my business. Ronnie argued but it was no use. I saw the look on the judge’s face. He believed I was a greedy, vindictive asshole. In less than an hour, I lost half my company. I sat woodenly while the final settlement was read out.
Then it was over. Ronnie leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Just walk out,” he said. “Don’t look at her. She wants your attention. Don’t give it to her.”
I didn’t need to be told that. I knew this whole show had been her way of trying to get my attention. She wanted to get under my skin. I wasn’t giving her that. Not a chance in hell. I walked out of the courtroom first without looking toward the table where she was celebrating with her attorney that I got to pay for. She’d put on a hell of a show and won. I was just glad to be done with her.
I walked to my Porsche and was about to get in when she appeared out of nowhere with a snide smile on her face. “I’m going to bury you,” she said like she was wishing me Happy Birthday.
She walked away and got into her Mercedes. I could hear her laughing as she sped away. I told myself not to care. I needed to focus on the silver lining. I was officially single. I never had to deal with the bullshit drama she brought into my life again. She chose to take the lump sum instead of alimony. There was no reason we ever needed to say another word to one another.
