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He scoffs. “A year.”

A whole year? I need to throw up.

Amanda continues. “Let’s discuss Sara, your intern. How long did that affair last?”

Oliver glances over at his lawyer, who nods. “A few months.”

“And Katrina, from… Accounting?”

When was he ever faithful?

“I don’t… Maybe… a few months. Look—”

Amanda cuts him off. “No, you look. Your indiscretions have consequences. You made vows. Vows you had no intention of keeping. So this marriage is over.” She turns to Oliver’s lawyer. “Tell your client to sign the papers.”

I have to hide a satisfied smile. Amanda remains poised and in control, while Oliver appears flustered. For the first time, I have the upper hand.

“That’s not true! I loved Gemma,” Oliver says. “I still do. Things... happen. I’m not perfect. No marriage is perfect.”

I blink, fighting back tears. What a bald-faced lie. He never loved me. I’m merely another trophy, a bank account for him.

“You had multiple affairs over the course of your marriage. Do you dispute that?” Amanda asks.

“Well, no, but—”

“I believe we’re done here.” Amanda gathers her papers.

Oliver’s lawyer holds up his hand. “Not quite. We have evidence that Ms. Barron was similarly... indiscreet during the marriage, which means the asset proposal has to be reevaluated.”

I jerk my head up. “What? I….”

Amanda puts her papers back on the desk. “We’re here to take Mr. Dorrance’s statement, not Ms. Barron’s.”

Oliver’s lawyer removes photos from a folder and pushes them over to me. “Explain your relationship with this man.”

The photos show a woman with a man outside a restaurant. She resembles me, but that’s... I never… that’s not me.

“Mr. Herrington, if you want to discuss any fake photos, I suggest another meeting.”

“I think this meeting is fine. Ms. Barron, care to explain?”

“That’s not me.”

“Not you? Seems like we have to do another investigation. Until this matter is resolved, I’m afraid the papers won’t be signed.”

“No. The papers will be signed next week. Mr. Dorrance’s refusal to sign the divorce papers has already caused undue emotional distress for my client.”

The lawyer sneers, tucking the photos away in his folder. “Mr. Dorrance simply wishes to ensure that all financial matters are settled fairly before proceeding. You’ve been slandering him the past hour. I think we can wait a little until the new evidence is cleared.”

“This is character assassination. Ms. Barron’s conduct is not the issue here.”

“We’ll see about that. There is plenty of time to discuss the assets.”

They argue back and forth as I sit paralyzed. Somehow, Oliver’s lawyer spins more half-truths. Why can’t he let me go? I’m worthless to him. He doesn’t want me.

Oliver saunters over. “Don’t look so upset, darling. We’re still man and wife in the eyes of the law. See you at home... wife.”

His lawyer guides him out of the room.

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