Heather’s actual office revealed the complete truth about her.She was a shark.The cute little nook I’d seen was actually part of a spacious, regal office that contained furniture imported from Greece and delicate sculptures whose price tags I could only guess at.Everything was lush, beautiful, chic.Even the leather as I sat on her couch made a more pleasing noise than normal couches.And despite all the luxurious décor, boxes of tissues dotted every surface.
She wasn’t just a good lawyer.She was a compassionate woman.And I was definitely going to need those tissues.
"Thanks again for taking this case on such short notice,” I said, enjoying the expensive crinkling of the leather couch.
“Of course.We’re going to get everything settled soon.Is Nash coming today?”she asked, leaning onto her elbows on her desk.
“No, we thought that it would be most appropriate for you and me hash out the final details.”I didn’t want to get into the peace offering aspect behind it, even though part of me wished he could be at my side even now, his steady power the reassuring presence I never could have planned on.
"Of course."Heather pulled out a pad of paper.“You know your ex best, after all.I wanted to go over a few things before the hearing next week.There have been some developments in the case."
My stomach flopped."What kind of developments?"
"Preston's legal team has filed additional motions.They're requesting financial disclosures—bank statements, tax returns, things like that.As well as any contracts or agreements related to your marriage."
The room tilted slightly."Um…that seems like a lot."
"Financial disclosures are standard in custody cases where there's been a significant change in financial circumstances."Heather's voice was matter-of-fact, like she was discussing the weather."Preston's argument hinges on the idea that you married Nash for personal gain and that Mia’s stability will be threatened.They want to examine the financial relationship between you and your husband."
"But that's—I mean, we're married.Isn't that private?"
"In the regular world, yes.But in custody cases, the court has broad latitude to examine anything that might affect the child's welfare.Including financial arrangements."
“Well, he’s my husband.And he’s wealthy.We can prove that.”
“Yes, that will be no problem to argue it’s in Mia’s favor.It’s the contract request that we need to clarify for the court.”
I could feel my heart rate speed up.“I don’t know what type of contract they’re after.”
“My first thought is a prenup.Did you guys sign anything like that?”Heather started making notes on the paper in front of her.
“No, no prenup.”
“Any other contract that you made outlining financial arrangements related to the marriage?”She scribbled a few more notes.
I licked my lips, suddenly parched.“No.”
She scribbled another note.“Is there any active NDA around the marriage that I should know about?”
The question hung in the air like a guillotine.
I could lie.Say no.Hope they never found it.
But Heather was watching me with the expression of someone who knew better.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because this will come up and we need to be prepared.”
I swallowed hard, my mind racing a mile a minute.I was trying to analyze this from every possible angle but my brain was sputtering.“NDAs are…protected, I thought.”
She paused her scribbles, her gaze hardening.“So there is something.”
"There...might be something," I said finally.
Heather didn't look surprised."Okay.Let’s hear it.You’re safe here."
I couldn’t find the words immediately.I wasn’t even sure I should acknowledge its existence, even to Heather.But she was my lawyer.She was fighting for me.If anywhere was safe, it was here."It's—well…I feel like I can’t say.But we did have an arrangement.When we got married.There was a contract that outlined...terms."The words felt like shards of glass in my throat."Expectations, so to speak."
