Page 2 of The Carver

Judge Alberto turned to Adrien and his lawyer. “If you agree to these terms, the matter is settled.”

There was a long pause. The lawyer stared at his client.

Adrien stared at the table, looked like he was about to be sick. “She takes half of the estate.”

“What?” I asked incredulously.

Adrien wouldn’t look at me. “I contest your demands. Take half of the estate.”

“What the fuck are you doing?” I looked directly at him now, unsure what was happening. “I said I don’t want your money.”

“I know you don’t,” he said quietly. “But I want you to have it.”

“Well, I don’t want it.”

The judge folded his hands and gave a sigh. “I’ve been in law for nearly forty years, and not once have I seen a marriage that ended through infidelity unfold this way—with the wife not wanting his money, while the husband wants to give it. In my personal opinion, there is still love here, so perhaps this marriage should be given another chance…”

“No.” Out of the fucking question.

Adrien gave a sigh.

“I won’t take his money.” I said it again, put my foot down.

The judge looked at Adrien.

“I don’t accept her terms,” he said quietly.

The judge closed his folder and brought his hands together. “Then we’ll schedule another meeting three weeks from now. Perhaps at that time, you can decide how you want these assets to be divided. This meeting is adjourned.”

“What?” I’d come here expecting to finalize a divorce, to be free of Adrien forever, to formally drop my married last name and reclaim my maiden one. Not to hit the brakes on the process and remain in limbo. “This is bullshit.”

Antony placed his hand on my shoulder to quiet me.

Adrien and his lawyer walked out.

I was breathing hard, breathing through the rage that I couldn’t express in the presence of a judge and security.

“Take the money,” Antony said.

“I said, I don’t want it.”

“Don’t you see what he’s doing?”

I stilled and turned to him.

“He knows you won’t take it, so he can use that to drag this out for a long time.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked, his eyes shifting back and forth between mine. “So he can stay married to you.”

When I left the courthouse and descended the steps, I noticed Adrien standing at the curb, clearly waiting for me. He was in a black pea coat and a scarf, his hands in the pockets of his coat.

A quiet rage surged inside me at the sight of him. I walked down the stairs and looked at him head on, the sidewalk quietbecause it was lunchtime and most people had already left the courthouse to grab a croissant at a boulangerie.

He met my look, his eyes both tired and defeated.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Despite the rage of my words, I spoke with an even tone, like we were at a fancy dinner party with others seated at our table. “Just when I thought you couldn’t make me angrier, you somehow top it.”

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