Cockalorum gave me a cocky grin, knowing he already had the upper hand.I bit my lip hard, then pasted a wobbly smile on my face.“I’m sorry for being late.”
Thankfully, the mediator cut in before Cockalorum had a chance to say anything.“Thanks for coming, everyone.My name is Sienna.As I’m certain your lawyers have already told you, this is a mediation meeting.This is not a court.I can’t make any decision for you.This is a way for you to work things out among yourselves without going to court.”
Vance had indeed told me what to expect today.That didn’t mean I was prepared.Because nothing could prepare me for the possibility of only seeing my kids every other weekend.My body felt like I’d touched a live wire, my hands shaking so much that I had to press them into fists and rest them on my lap.
Sienna turned to our side of the table.“Mrs.Porter.Why don’t you start and let us know what you’re hoping to get out of the divorce.”
That was an easy question to answer.One I’d gone over and over again.And I thought I might have finally come up with something that might make Cockalorum give up on pursuing full custody.“I would like full custody of Elana and Adelaine, the photo albums, and my mom’s baking dish.I would also like to keep the profits from anything I sell that’s currently in the house.In return, I will refrain from asking for any financial support.”
A quick glance at Vance showed his brows creased in confusion.He’d briefed me on what to say.And I’d completely gone off script.But there was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep my kids.And if it meant working two jobs and living in a dump, then so be it.
Sienna looked equally as stunned.“So, you’re saying you don’t want half of all assets?Or alimony?Or for your husband to pay the kids’ school fees if you were to have full custody?”
“If it means he’ll let me have the kids, I don’t want any of it.”
I’d make it work.No matter what.
She still looked confused.“You’re saying you’d be happy to walk away with nothing?”
I was guessing she didn’t have kids since she didn’t understand that my children were all that mattered in the end.“I wouldn’t walk away with nothing.If I get the kids, I’d walk away with everything.”
Cockalorum and his lawyer were whispering furiously, their heads bent together.
Vance did the same, leaning so close I could smell his delicious cologne and feel his warm breath ghost across my cheek.“Are you out of your mind?I told you what to say, which was nothing.Yet you went ahead and fucked this up so royally that there’s no way I’ll get you more than school fees at this stage.”
I didn’t know where I found the courage to look him straight in the eyes, ignore his stupid sexy face and husky voice, and respond without letting out a squeak.“If you’d paid any attention to what I’ve been telling you during our meetings, it should come as no surprise to you that I don’t care about the money.I only care about my kids.”
I straightened my spine and turned back to the table.Cockalorum and his lawyer were done with their whispered conversation, and my husband’s attention was on me.When I saw his smile, I almost sagged in relief.Because that was when I knew I’d offered him the one thing he’d never turn down.Not even for Tammy.
His lawyer, a woman who looked to be in her fifties, her hair pulled back into a tight chignon and her suit fitting around her slim frame as if it was painted on, turned to Sienna.“My client is willing to consider the proposal.He wants the kids every other weekend and alternating holidays.And he wants to ensure it’s documented that he’s not paying anything to Mrs.Porter.Should she go after him for even a cent in the future, then he’ll reconsider the custody arrangement.”
I wanted to let out a breath so mighty it could be heard at the North Pole.But what I did instead was paste another smile on my face.“That won’t happen.”
Vance’s hand on my arm cut off any other response I might have had.“I need a moment with my client.”
Sienna nodded at us, and Vance stood up.When I didn’t make a move to do the same fast enough, he turned my chair to face him, then lightly took my elbow.His hand was so big it reached around my whole arm.I had no choice but to stand up.
He led me out of the room, closing the door behind him.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”The words exploded out of him as soon as we’d stepped to the side.“You hired me for a reason.And now you’re blowing this all up so wide, there’s no way I’ll ever be able to pull it back together.Not once in my career has anyone acted so carelessly.”
“I know I should have discussed this with you first, but you just wouldn’t listen.And I know how Co—I mean Hank thinks.He cares about money more than anything.And he’ll draw this out until there’s nothing left of me.I can’t afford your fees as it is.If this takes months or even years to settle, I’ll never be able to pay back what I owe.”
Vance brushed his hand through his hair, his thick strands settling down immediately after he dropped his arm by his side.Even his hair bent to his will.“What you did was selfish.”
I gasped at the accusation.How dare he?“What I did was for my girls.”
“What you did was for you.Because now you’ll have to work so much, you’ll barely see your girls.How are you going to pay your mortgage?And what about school?Your kids will have to switch to public schools.And then there are holidays.Clothes.Not to mention, you have a right to the money.It’s half yours.”
God, I’d messed up big-time.But there was no way Cockalorum would have backed down if I hadn’t offered him the right incentive.I knew him better than anyone, and he liked winning.And I may have panicked slightly.But Vance didn’t know everything, and I didn’t trust him enough to tell him about Addy.“He would have fought me with everything he has.Which is a lot more than I have.”
Vance released a frustrated huff.“You have me.”The statement hung heavily between us.Throwing his head back, he let out a silent curse.“Don’t you think I’ve had this same situation happen hundreds of times before?Every divorce is always about money, no matter how amicable.”
“I don’t care about the money.”I dug my fingers into my arm to stop any tears from escaping.“But I won’t survive without my kids.They are everything to me.And I’ll make it work.Other single moms do.”
He studied me, his face having lost some of its tightness.There was a storm brewing in his eyes, but at least he’d stopped barking at me.
“Let’s go back in so I can salvage this fuckup of a mediation.”
