“He warned me he would,” I said. “He’s pulling this whole ‘no more Mr. Nice Guy’ act.”
“Actually,” Jerry started, “it’s unusual to file this way because it involves going to trial. That means time and money, evidence and witnesses. And since it doesn’t affect the division of assets because of Illinois’ laws, he’s likely only doing it for one reason.”
“To embarrass her,” David guessed.
“You got it,” Jerry said. “Thing is . . . itcouldwork in your favor. If Bill’s able to prove adultery, which he will be, they may grant the divorce faster.” Jerry looked up, resting the papers against his thigh. “Olivia would deny the charge, but essentially, we’d be throwing the case.”
“Isn’t that, like, collusion or something?” I asked.
“No, because Bill isn’t in on it.” Jerry nodded at David. “You said you want fast, this is fastest. Assuming you’re willing to spend the money, Dylan.” Jerry shrugged. “Otherwise, we can try to convince Bill to agree to a no-fault divorce, which would cost everyone less but could take either six months or two years.”
“Twoyears?” I exclaimed.
“The court wants to know that you’ve had a reasonable separation period,” Jerry explained. “That’s customarily two years but can be reduced to six months.”
That wasridiculous. How could a court possibly make that determination? My heart sank knowing how long David had waited to find his future wife, only to have to wait two more years.
“I think you know how I feel, Jerry,” David said. “Money’s no object if it means moving this along.”
Jerry nodded. “Then I’ll file the response today. Next thing would be—”
“Wait,” I said. “You mentioned a trial. Evidence? Witnesses? Is that necessary?”
“Yes.” Jerry sucked in a breath. “That’s where the shaming comes in. You should be prepared for it to get personal.”
“Let’s proceed,” David said.
“Hang on,” I said, stepping away from David. “What do you mean by ‘personal’?”
“Well . . .” Jerry dropped the stack of papers on my desk and looked around the small office. “Bill will need to submit evidence. This might involve photographs of you two, witness accounts, private detectives—since you’re denying the charge so it goes to trial, he’ll need whatever he can scrape up to prove that you cheated on him.”
“Absolutely not,” I said, forming two fists. It was bad enough I’d be branded an adulterer the rest of my life, but ultimately, I was just another divorcée. David had a successful career and reputation to protect. “I’m not putting David through that.”
“Baby,” David said, “it might get you out faster. It would mean—”
“No,” I said resolutely. I didn’t need to discuss, consider, or even give it another thought. I turned to face David. “I won’t have your name dragged through the mud like that. What about your career, David? The firm? You’ve worked too hard to get where you are. We can do six months, two years if we have to.”
David frowned. “I’ve waited long enough to call you mine.”
I stepped up and took his hand in mine. “I am yours. And you can tell anyone you want, but what’s most important is that we know it.” Despite being acutely aware of a third person in the room, and slightly uncomfortable with being so vulnerable in front of him, I forced myself to tell David what he deserved to hear. “I’ll be married to Bill on paper a while longer, but my heart is completely, irrevocably yours no matter what.”
David took my chin and touched his thumb to the corner of my mouth. With gratitude in his eyes, he nodded, then turned to Jerry. “How does it work if Olivia admits to the affair?”
“Like I said, the two-year separation can be reduced to six months if both parties agree to it,” Jerry said.
“If he’s out for payback, he’ll never go for that,” David said.
“Unless . . .” I blinked up at him. “Unless I tell him he can keep everything.”
“I doubt any amount of money will deter him from seeing us suffer,” David said.
I smiled. “Then you don’t know Bill. He’s pretty frugal.”
I’d wanted to shield Bill from getting hurt further, even up until I’d gone to move out my things. But now, my loyalty lay with David. And Bill had gone out of his way to try to embarrass him, so I didn’t owe him any more protection. “He doesn’t know we were already planning to let him have it. He’ll go for it. I just have to convince him.”
Jerry pulled at his chin. “Olivia—I’m David’s lawyer, but in this matter, you’re my client, too.” He looked between David and me. “And as your lawyer, I can’t advise you to do that. In all my years of practice, I’ve never had a client hand everything over. If you waive the right to alimony, that’s it. No turning back.”
David’s arm tightened around me. “Jerry. We already discussed this.”
