He cleared his throat. “It’s come to my attention just now that she also owns a successful LLC registered in the state of Virginia, which she didn’t include on her initial disclosure affidavits.”
My attorney turned to me slowly.
I wanted to drop my head onto the desk and scream.
“Request for recess, Your Honor,” Jill said. “I need to confer with my client.”
Robert’s attorney raised a hand and tutted loudly. “I would like to add that my client expects the full valuation of his wife’s previously undisclosed business, its assets and income, be documented and divided equally as marital property in the final settlement.”
His words landed like a slap. My ears rang and my head reared back.
The judge granted the request for recess.
My attorney moved me to a conference room and closed the door.
“Are you kidding me?” she asked, her voice a harsh whisper. “You own a company?”
“I can explain,” I said.
Her eyes widened, and she pressed her lips into a thin white line. “Please,” she said. “Otherwise, imagine how horribly embarrassing it would be for me to go in front of the judge and opposing counsel without all the information necessary to properly represent your case.”
I took a seat at the little table and cringed, because of course, she was right. “When I filed for divorce, I rarely had more than one order a week. In the three years since launching the Invisible Baker, I never made enough money to necessitate filing taxes in our state. In fact, before I moved out, I usually lost money on my baking. But I paid for my supplies out of our household account. I bought the ingredients with the rest of our groceries, then put the money I earned from the baked goods aside for this very day. Or rather, the day I hired you.
“Recently, however, things have changed. My little start-up grew legs and finally started making money. Now Robert wants to take it from me.” My voice cracked, and I pressed a palm to my chest. Of course he did. He took everything, and he ruined it.
My attorney exhaled a long, exhausted breath. “He’s entitled to half,” she said. “Just as you are.”
Tears blurred my eyes and outrage clogged my throat. “That’s not what’s happening,” I snapped. “He’s keeping all that he thinks is his, and he’s claiming half of what’s mine too. He’s cheating and stealing. He’s reminding me that he’s always in control. And he always wins.” I wiped my wet cheeks and growled. “You can’t let him do this.” I’d worked too hard and come too far.
She nodded and shoved away from the table. “All right. No settlement today, then. We’ll go to trial and hope the forensic accountants have something for us by then.”
We returned to the courtroom and affirmed we would go to trial. Nothing could be finalized without a detailed report from the forensic accountant anyway. Jill assured me, yet again, that I could trust the company I’d hired, even if they hadn’t been in contact since I paid their retainer. And she said nothing that happened in court today was a setback. Just a surprise.
I kicked myself internally as I went in search of my friends. It had never once crossed my mind to mention the Invisible Baker when I completed the paperwork to hire my attorney.
Maybe because none of this had seemed real until a few weeks ago. Not my ability to truly leave Robert behind. Or the possibility I could support myself financially. I definitely never imagined my cupcake endeavors could be seen as a real business entity by anyone other than myself. Certainly not something Robert would demand half of in our divorce settlement.
The white noise and voices of the courthouse muddled together as I shuffled along, feeling as if I were underwater. I made eye contact with Alicia a split second before I saw my daughter, running along the hallway toward her father.
“Daddy!” Camilla called. She threw her arms around Robert’s neck.
I backed against the wall, confused by her enthusiasm and in need of support.
Alicia and Ilona rushed to my side.
“What’s that about?” Alicia asked.
I had no idea, and I couldn’t take my eyes off Camilla’s unbridled joy. Though only a few yards away, it felt as if I were watching her through a looking glass. A world where she passed me by for Robert simply didn’t exist. Yet there she was. With him. And happy.
“Hello to you too,” he said, beaming proudly to onlookers. “What’s all this about?”
“The dress!” she cried, releasing him to smile at his stupid face. “I received it today, and I can’t believe you did this! I knew you would, but I’m still so—ah!” She lunged at him again, pulling him into another tight, adoring hug.
My hug.
Alicia gripped my arm. “Oh, my god. She thinks—”
A small choking sob escaped my throat. Of course Camilla assumed Robert paid for the gown. Why wouldn’t she? How could I haveafforded it? I’d always been financially dependent on my husband, and our daughter knew it.
