“I’m sure you are.”The slight smile on her face looked plasticized, like maybe she’d heard these words from another desperate woman before.“But the court needs to review all the components.We need to be fully prepared.”
I nodded, swallowing hard, reaching for another tissue.“Of course.”
Heather tapped on her computer for a few moments, then nodded."Got it.I'll review and include it with our submission to the judge.We'll frame it carefully—emphasize that while the marriage began as an arrangement, it evolved into a genuine partnership.That you and Nash are building a real life together."
I nodded, drawing another deep breath.“And this…will it get out?I mean—who else is going to see it?”
“Preston’s team will see it.”There was a grave note in her voice.“And that reminds me, they submitted something recently that you should know about.”She clicked through a few things on her computer, each second dragging by like an hour.
“I can’t even imagine what it is.”
“It’s a photo.”She frowned at her computer screen, then angled it toward me.“I’m going to try to get it tossed from evidence though.”
There, on the screen, was the photo I’d sent to Preston the night Nash and I met.The night Nash and I had connected like soul mates at the bar while I went by the name Scarlett, and then we’d taken things up to that penthouse and spent the night fucking like animals.There I was—tits out, Nash buried deep inside me, his handsome grin extra devilish in the selfie he’d snapped at my request.I’d sent this picture to Preston as revenge, to prove to him that I didn’t care I’d caught him cheating.
“That was the night I met Nash,” I blurted, my cheeks heating up.Despite how inappropriate it was to see this picturehere, in the office of my new family lawyer, it was kind of hot.God, we looked good.“I’d just discovered Preston was cheating on me, and I hooked up with Nash, and sent this as a finalfuck youto Preston.God, this is—I’m sorry you had to see this.How could Preston use this against me?”
She grimaced.“I’ve seen and heard it all, so your guess is as good as mine.But based on the timelines and the attack he’s launching, my guess is that he’ll use it to either claim you cheated onhim, or to establish a pattern of promiscuity.”
“But how is it promiscuous if I ended up marrying the guy?”
“Like I said, I’ve seen and heard it all, so we need to be prepared.I’m going to do my best to get this thrown out, but it’s in his arsenal now.”
I felt like my eyes were permanently saucer-shaped after witnessing my only known pornographic photo presented to me in the luxurious office of my new lawyer.We wrapped up a few other details, went over next steps, and then we were done.
I stood on numb legs, gathering my used tissues, my purse, my shattered dignity.
For however good Heather was in family court, I still had a nagging feeling that something else lurked in the shadows.
But there was something even bigger pressing down on me, sucking the life out of me.
I needed to figure out how to tell Nash that the cat was out of the bag.Somehow, Preston had known to ask for the marriage contract.
The town car ride home was a blur.I stared out the window at the city passing by, surrounded by the quiet luxury of the back seat.Nothing captured the enormity of what had just happened.Everything we’d been working toward now hung in a precarious balance.
The truth was, there were no right words.
But I had to tell him.Today.Right now.Before I lost my nerve.
I practiced the conversation in my head the entire ride home, my knee bouncing anxiously against the leather seat.By the time the car pulled up to the building, I'd settled on a version that felt honest:I met with Heather.There's something I need to tell you about the custody case.Can we talk?
Simple.Direct.Then I'd explain everything.
I pushed open the penthouse door and immediately heard Mia's giggle coming from the living room.
Relief washed over me—Nash was home.I could do this.We'd sit down, I'd explain, and he'd understand.He had to understand.
I rounded the corner and froze.
Nash was standing near Mia, but he wasn't playing.He was on his phone, his face pale, his expression tight with worry.Trojan stood nearby, holding Nash's jacket and a small overnight bag.
"I'm heading to the plane right now," Nash said, his voice strained."Yes, I’ll go.You come when you can."He ran a hand through his hair."Yes, Arch.I’ll let you know.I’ll see you there."
He ended the call and looked at Trojan."Car's ready?"
"Downstairs waiting."
Nash finally noticed me standing in the doorway.Devastation written across his face."Clara.I was just about to call you."
