"So it was a prenup?"Her brows arched.
"No.It wasn’t to protect his assets.More like..."I couldn't say it.Couldn't put words to what it actually was."It was so he could get an inheritance.The marriage was supposed to be temporary.Just through the end of the year.And in exchange, there was money involved.For me.But once we were married, we could prove it to the committee and then he’d get his grandfather's inheritance—"
"Okay, hang on."Heather held up a hand, laughing a little."Hang on.I need to see this contract."
"But it's covered by an NDA.I don’t know if I should have even told you."
Heather’s expression changed to one I couldn’t immediately place, somewhere between regret and discomfort."In the state of New York, NDAs offer no protection in custodial cases."Her voice was gentle but firm."Preston's team is already demanding financial records or marriage arrangements.So you're legally required to turn over everything.Including contracts protected by NDAs.The court has the right to examine any agreements that might affect the child's welfare."
My vision blurred."But it’s—I can’t—”
“The court can order a disclosure even if it violates an NDA if the information is required for a legal proceeding.”She grimaced, interlacing her fingers on the desk.Even as she delivered this awful news, I still felt somehow held by her.I reached for a tissue, feeling the tears coming on.
“But how did they know to even ask?”
“I can’t answer that.But the request is here.”
I felt suddenly helpless.“So they'd find it anyway."
"Yes.Preston's lawyers are good.I have personal experience with them,” she said with a grimace.“If we’re not prepared, they’ll use it in their favor.I can assure you that.”
The tears were coming now, despite my best efforts to keep them back.God damnit, I wished Nash was here.I dabbed at my cheek.
Heather leaned forward."That’s why we need to get ahead of this.We can't let Preston's team discover it and weaponize it."
"How?"
"We submit it ourselves.As evidence.We frame it as yes, there was an initial arrangement, but it was in Mia’s favor.You're not hiding anything.You're being transparent with the court."
I stared at her.“So we just...hand it over?"
Heather's expression was sympathetic but unyielding."Either we submit it now, on our terms, with context and explanation.Or Preston's team finds it, presents it as proof of instability in Mia’s living environment, and uses it to destroy your credibility.Those are the options."
My entire world went wobbly.I dabbed at the corners of my eyes, silently crying.
"But Nash's inheritance—" My voice broke."If anyone finds out that it was arranged, he doesn't get the inheritance.He needs that money."
"I understand.But Clara, in this custodial case, we can’t cut any corners.Not if you want to win."
Her words pierced me like a knife to the chest.
There was no question.There had never been a question.But Nash...God, what about Nash?He needed that money.For the Gideon lawsuit against the city.For fighting Cross.For protecting the Queens community.For everything.That had been the whole point of this.
And this revelation could destroy it.
But I would not risk losing Mia.
"No, you’re right," I whispered, more to convince myself than Heather."I don’t want to cut any corners.”
"The more prepared we are, the better.”Heather offered a small smile, then sat back in her chair.“Do you have the contract with you?Can you send it?”
“Yes, of course."I pulled out my phone with shaking hands."I’ll find it right now."
I bumbled through my phone, pulling up all the wrong apps first in my flustered state.I could barely operate the damn thing.Finally, I found the file.The contract that had started everything in that bathroom at Black & Brewtiful.The document that had seemed so simple, so transactional, so easy.
“I just want to add,” I said as I hit send, “that the contract started as an arrangement, but it’s not that way anymore.Does that matter?Nash and I—we’re in love.”
The words floated bulkily in the air.Did I really know that?I knew that I lovedhim—but what would Nash say if he were here at my side?My words felt like a desperate bid to convince her, and by extension, the court.I felt love from him, but was it real?
