Page 13 of Ella Gets the D
My savings will go from a few thousand toyou wish!once I leave Morgan’s house. Have you seen these home prices? They’ll snatch the joy straight out of your soul.
Mr. Richardson glances at Charles. When he doesn’t get a response, he moves his hand slowly in front of his face. “Charles?”
Nothing.
“Would you like to discuss these terms in private?”
Crickets.
For the most arrogant and obnoxious person in the room, you’d think a doctor told him he has two days to live. Charles has never been speechless, so this is saying something.
“Char—”
“Ninety days.” He answers his lawyer with his eyes still on me. “I’ll agree to the terms with the stipulation that she has ninety days to find a job and a home to live in that isn’t her best friend’s house.”
A smirk forms.
The bastard hopes I’ll fail and move back. Three months might as well be a trial separation period, one that sends me back to square freaking one. In what world is it easy to find a new jobanda place to live in under six months? You need one to payfor the other—the security deposit, last month’s rent, and the just-because rent on top of that. Charles knows it’s a mission impossible.
Well, call me Tom Fucking Cruise.
I speak before Grier goes for his jugular. “Deal, but if I’m going to need to get a place within that time, I want all of my spousal support upfront.”
Thin lips spread to reveal even, white teeth. Charles has what you’d call a classic look. He’s a handsome man with a straight nose and a square jaw that’s in perfect proportion with the rest of his features. The salt and pepper in his jet-black hair adds to his timelessness.
I bet he thinks it’s cute how assertive I’m being. The tug-of-war between wills is a routine we know well. I’d challenge whatever authority he thought he had, and he would fuck me into submission—or at least try.
I thought it was enough, thatIwas enough. Now, I’m taking back my time and my power.
And I’m just getting started.
“I want a lump sum, including for the two weeks I left after you silverbacked your coworker in our bed. Since I experienced emotional distress, let’s double that amount.”
Two can play this game.
His face morphs, and his eyes turn cold. “Don’t push it, dear.”
“You haven’t begun to see me push. You’re lucky I don’t challenge the prenup. Don’t tempt me to air your unfaithful ways throughout Falls Church. I can play the heartbroken wife, and I’d have no problem crying on the shoulders of the PTA moms who will spread our business around town. You want to treat me likeIdid something wrong? Consider this my villain origin story. Now. Sign. The. Damn. Agreement.”
I sit and stare. Charles might think he has the upper hand because of his money, but I have the truth, and it will set me free.
That afternoon was the rude awakening I needed. I deserve better. My life is far from over, and I want it back.
The tic in his jaw tells me Charles feels cornered. He hates losing control. His fingers drum on the table.Thump, thump, thump.
All eyes are on him in anticipation of his response.
Seconds pass in our staredown until his shoulders push back and his chin lifts. “Okay, El. We’ll play it your way. For now.” The last part comes out in a tone that sends a chill down my spine. Charles never laid a hand on me or used his near half-a-foot height difference to intimidate me. Yelling isn’t his thing, believe it or not, but the fake smile plastered on his face right now is textbook Charles.
He’s up to something.
“I believe time is of the essence, gentlemen,” Grier says. “While I have you two here, let’s amend the separation agreement to reflect these changes.”
Charles is silent for a beat but nods. “If we can get it done within the hour, I have no objections.” He stands and buttons his blazer. “I need to step out and make a few calls. I trust you and my attorney will take care of this.”
Mr. Richardson gathers his briefcase. If he wasn’t Charles’s counsel, you’d think he moonlights as Santa and spends his free time reading books to sick children in the hospital. Then again, he does look like an older version of the dad inGet Out. And we all know how that ended.
“Ms. Greene, it was wonderful to meet you, though I wish it were under different circumstances,” Mr. Richardson says. “Take care of yourself. As for you, Ms. Santiago. I hope not to find myself on your opposing side again.” He chuckles, but he’s serious. Grier Santiago, attorney at law, is deadly.
