Page 86 of Single Mom's Undoing
Elizabeth is now pale as she, too, takes a gander at the folder, recognizing herself in the photos.
“Here’s the thing,” Damon adds. “Elizabeth forfeited her parental rights when she left. But she was never fit to be a mother in the first place, and the past couple of years only serves to further prove that. Her financial records show proof of having received bribes and kickbacks from dealing stolen art. The photos and email printouts are evidence of her extravagant and lewd lifestyle, her association with shady and, frankly, dangerous individuals.”
“Pretty sure this guy’s a drug dealer connected to BX in New York,” Jace chimes in, pointing at one of the photos. “What were you two giggling about there? Dinner and a movie? He’s taken you out a few times, it seems. Long nights at the Ritz. I spoke to the concierge, as well. You’re loud, Elizabeth. I’m guessing he did something right all night long.”
Her face turns white, then bright red. “Oh, God.”
“Every single page in this folder serves to prove that not only are you unfit to be a mother, but also that you shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near Shiloh, period,” Damon says. “You’ve been gone for two years, Elizabeth. Not one phone call. Not one penny sent to help provide for her. And on top of that, your reputation isn’t as clean as you made it out to be. You’ve made an obscene amount of money buying and selling art for some nasty, shady people. My lawyer will wipe the floor clean with you in there.”
“We need to verify all of this,” Hobbs manages.
But I can tell he knows there’s nothing left for him to verify. He’s just trying to buy some time. Unfortunately for him and Elizabeth, time is the one thing we can no longer afford to give.
“Verify all you want,” Damon says, brimming with confidence. “It won’t end well for your client. We will bring all of this into the hearing, and I imagine the judge’s decision will be swift upon reviewing it. In fact, I’ve taken an extra step and filed for a motion for a permanent restraining order against Elizabeth. She’ll never be allowed within one hundred feet of Shiloh.”
“You can’t do that!” she snarls and tries to slap him.
Damon catches her hand in midair, firmly gripping her wrist. “I can and I will, because I am goddamn tired of you thinking you can get away with this shit. Shiloh’s happiness and well-being are my primary concern, Elizabeth. And your presence threatens both. Would you like to add an assault charge to that sheet as well?” he asks, shoving her hand away.
“You can’t?—”
“Had you truly been remorseful, you would’ve done things differently. But this was never about you wanting to be back in Shiloh’s life. It was always about you regaining control and messing withmylife. Shiloh would always be collateral damage. The child you never wanted. We both know you only had her because you thought it would get you a happy, white-picket-fence family with me. As if that was going to soothe that big, black hole in your heart.
“I tried, Elizabeth. I tried so hard to do right by you as a husband. But you’re the one who bailed,” he adds. “You’re the one who called it quits when Shiloh needed you the most. You left your baby behind. That is unforgivable. For that, alone, you don’t deserve to be anywhere near her.”
Hobbs gets between them. “Alright, alright. We’ll need to postpone the hearing for now,” he says. “I’ll go in and ask the judge to grant us a continuance.”
“No, wait. What? You can’t do that!” Elizabeth is quick to turn on him.
Suddenly, I see her for who she truly is: unhinged, crazed, obsessed about control, about getting people to do what she wants. No wonder she gets along so well with my father. They’re a match made in heaven, and I just set their world on fire. The blow we delivered to Elizabeth will reverberate.
Soon enough, my father’s palace of lies and manipulation will be shaken to the core. He’ll slip up. He’ll make a mistake. And in her fury, Elizabeth will lead us right to him.
“You’re cooked,” I tell Elizabeth. “Tell my father he doesn’t win this round.”
She gives me a cold, hateful look. “No wonder he’s so disappointed in you.”
“That doesn’t hurt the way you hoped it would,” I shoot back with a dry smile.
She then points a furious finger at Damon. “I’m not done with you yet.”
“Oh, but you are,” Damon calmly replies. “Once the judge goes over the file, you’re done. And once the restraining order goes into effect, I will have every reason to call 911 if you ever come anywhere near us. It’s over, Elizabeth.”
For the first time, I see a look of real defeat on her face.
“And you, Mr. Hobbs, I suggest you think twice before my father asks you to represent one of his side pieces.”
“Side pieces?” Elizabeth gasps, appalled.
I can’t help but laugh. “Oh, Liz. Did you really think you were the only one? My father was loyal to only one woman,my mother. Ever since she passed, he’s been keeping a roster of ladies to warm his bed at night. You can’t tell me you didn’t know.”
“Lies. All lies,” she shakes her head in disbelief. “You’re just trying to drive a wedge between us. You’re all working against us, keeping us from building our own family.”
“Oh, because that’s what this was all about, right?” I quip. “You, my father, Shiloh and Matty, living happily ever after in the lap of luxury.”
Her face drops so fast I fear I may have to scrape it off the ground. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play the innocent card now,” I reply.
