Page 3 of Billion Dollar Dispute

Pulling back slightly, I brush the hair from his damp cheeks. “Are you okay?”

He nods hesitantly but doesn’t speak. I cup his face, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Everything’s going to be okay,” I promise, even though I’m not sure how. “I’ve got you.”

“But where’s Dad?” he asks, his little face wearing a confused expression. “Will he come back?”

“I don’t know, honey,” I answer honestly.

His lip quivers as he takes a deep breath, leaning back into my arms. I need to be strong for him, even if I feel like I’m falling apart. After a few minutes, I take him to the sofa and turn on his favorite show. I rub his back as he nestles into the cushions. “I’ll be right here, okay? I just need to make a quick call.”

He nods again, his eyes already glued to the screen. He’s settled and distracted…for now, at least. I step into the kitchen, my hands shaking as I dial my mom, but she doesn’t answer. So, I call his parents. They live two and a half hours away, but I need to tell them what happened. When I finally get the words out, they’re just as shocked as I am. I try to stay calm, explaining thatthey’re always welcome to visit Chad, but they need to help their son because I can’t do it anymore. I share that the front door is now broken, and my father-in-law immediately offers to come fix it. I don’t refuse because I can’t sleep here until it’s done, and I need to keep Chad in the same environment until I figure out what to do next.

While I wait for them to come, I continue making dinner for Chad. I’m no longer hungry though. My mind races, trying to piece together all the little things he’s been saying and doing, trying to recall any signs of him using or selling drugs.

I feel so fucking stupid.

Two and a half hours later, my in-laws arrive. They step into the room, and an uneasy silence hangs in the air. I can see the confusion in their eyes, the way they search my face for answers I can’t give. I swallow hard. His mother hesitates before meeting my eyes, her lips quivering. I’ve known her for seventeen years, so I take a step forward, opening my arms. She falls into me, her body trembling as she cries against my shoulder. When she finally pulls back, I turn to my father-in-law. He nods stiffly, his eyes glassy, holding back tears as I embrace him too.

My mother-in-law moves away to play with Chad as my father-in-law replaces the door. I insist they stay for dinner, which Chad loves, because he gets to tell them all about his morning with his dad, making his grandma well up with tears. Once it’s late enough, they leave, and I give Chad a bath before tucking him in bed.

“Mom, where did they take Dad?” he asks again, and my heart cracks wide open.

“I’m not sure, honey, but you and I are not going anywhere. We’re going to be okay.” As I exit his room, I realize I can’t keep saying that. Eventually I’ll have to explain. But what do I say when I can’t comprehend it myself, let alone his little mind?

Ready for a hot shower, I move to the bathroom. I spot Butch’s comb, hair gel, toothbrush…all mocking me. The fact that he would bring drugs into our life and house with our son is enough for me to snap. I grab his shit and throw it all in the trash. Opening the cupboards, I clear out his aftershave, razor, and anything else that's his. There’s no way I want to look at it. I should’ve given it all to his parents, but I wasn’t thinking clearly, and I don’t want them coming all the way back for useless shit they can pick up from Target.

I sit at the edge of our unmade queen bed and feel a little better after throwing it all away. There’s a photo of us on our wedding day on the nightstand—a time when we were happy. Tears stream down my face as it hits me. I’m alone. I feel a weird numbness as if I’m empty inside.

How could he do this to us?

I can’t seem to stop sobbing until exhaustion takes over, so I put the picture on the side table, facing down. I don’t want to look at it. Lying down in the bed, the smell of him hits me hard. I roll over, and looking at his side of the bed makes my chest tight. I imagine him there. It’s so vivid that it makes my stomach churn. I get up, grab a clean blanket from the cupboard that doesn’t stink of him, move down to the sofa, and cry myself to sleep.

Chapter 1

Jemima

Three months later

When I open the front door, my mom walks in, full of floral perfume and sunshine. She pulls me into a warm hug, her arms wrapping around me tightly. "There's my girl," she says, her voice soft and full of love. "You look beautiful, as always."

She’s wearing a flowing, multi-colored kaftan that shimmers in the light, white oversized sunglasses on top of her head, and gold bangles that jingle with every movement. Her hair’s styled in loose waves, and she’s grinning like she’s won the lottery.

“Guess who’s finally taking life by the reins!” she announces as her eyes sparkle with excitement.

“Mom?” I blink at her, trying to make sense of what she’s saying.

She drops her purse on the counter, then spins around like she’s on a stage. “Me, darling! I’m talking about me. Your dad has been gone for a while, and I’ve decided I’m going to sell thehouse. I can’t sit around waiting for life to happen. Nope! Your dad and I always talked about going on a cruise to Alaska, so I booked one. I leave in four weeks!” She beams.

My smile freezes on my face as my heart sinks into my stomach. Of course I’m happy for her, but it’s like the universe decided to pile on just one more thing. “That’s… great, Mom. I’m happy for you.”

“I knew you’d understand,” she says, oblivious to the strain in my voice. She’s already pulling something from her bag. A small silver key, which she places on the counter in front of me. “But before I head off, I’ve got something for you.”

I stare at the key like it’s a puzzle I’m supposed to solve. “What’s this?” I ask slowly, glancing up at her.

“It’s for the office, silly. Recaredo Events is yours now.” She’s smiling like she’s handing me the world’s best gift. “I’ve had people sniffing around, wanting to buy it, but I thought, 'Why sell it to a stranger when my brilliant daughter’s right here?' You’ve always had a better head for business than I do.”

Mom helped with setting up events, but otherwise, it was my dad’s company. Mom and dad had been together since they were twenty-one. Forty-two years with the same man, and then suddenly he passed away a year ago from a heart attack. It’s the first time she’s been on her own. I can imagine she wants to be busy all the time and not be surrounded by reminders of Dad every day. I know that feeling well as I stand in the kitchen I once shared with my ex-husband. The night of his arrest replays in my mind daily. The only reason I haven’t left this apartment is to keep Chad's life as normal as possible, which includes our lovely landlords, Jade and Pedro, who help me with Chad. The judge decided to deny Butch bail, which is a relief because I couldn't afford to bail him out anyway.

My stomach twists at the reminder that I was recently laid off from my in-store job at Macy’s due to restructuring. I’ve beenapplying for other jobs but haven’t had any call backs yet. I’ve been desperate for something. Anything. Butch didn’t just leave a broken little boy; it turns out, he also left me a mountain of credit card debt and no savings, too.

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