Page 9 of Everything For Love

“Not if she’s telling the truth, but I’ll be honest, we haven’t been on great terms for about a year, the past few months have been worse. I’m not sure I trust her to be honest about much.”

“What happened a year ago?”

I shake my head slowly. “I have no idea. It was like a switch flipped and she was no longer interested in me. I tried, but after a while a man gives up.”

“And seeks attention elsewhere?”

“No, I’ve been faithful to Aubrey through all of this. I have never strayed, despite her accusing me of doing so.”

“You said your daughter wants to go with your wife?”

I nod. “From my experience, it’s the mother-daughter bond. Amelie’s young, impressionable, and extremely close to her mom. Aubrey coddles her and gives her what she wants. Amelie uses that and plays me against her mom all the time. She’s also a pre-teen and those years suck.”

Lesley laughs. “Believe me, I know.” He scribbles some more. “Has there been any discussion of a custody arrangement?”

“No,” I tell him. “She’s adamant that she’s taking the children because she’s their mother.”

“She can say what she wants, but the law is on your side.”

Thank God.

“With that said, I like to encourage my clients to figure out a solution before they file. The courts appreciate it, and it makes it a lot easier on the kids. Do you think you and Mrs. Ashford can come to an agreement beforehand?”

“I’m not sure. We want two different things. Our son excels in school here. I don’t want to take him out of school to move across the world. He’d have to give up what he loves, football and baseball, not to mention his friends and classmates. I proposed we move as a family after Mack graduates from high school in two years. I thought she’d go for that, but she refuses, she wants to go now and then asked for a divorce.”

Lesley sighs. “I rarely suggest this, but have you considered staying here and letting your wife take your daughter with her?”

“What?” Surely, I’ve misheard him.

“Here me out,” he says. “From what you’re telling me, Mrs. Ashford is determined to return to her home country with her children. Well, one child. Mack is old enough to decide where he wants to live, and a judge wouldn’t force him to leave the country if he didn’t want to. With him out of the equation, that leaves your youngest. She’s close to her mother?”

“Extremely.”

“And Mrs. Ashford is demanding to take the children, regardless?”

I nod.

“As your lawyer, I’m going to suggest you let her.”

“Excuse me?”

Wroughton holds his hand up. “If she takes your daughter without your permission, you’ll report her for kidnapping. The police will arrest your wife in front of your daughter. Do you want that?”

I shake my head slowly.

“If she takes your daughter and you report her for kidnapping, you’re then fighting a foreign country to get your daughter back, which honestly could be extremely challenging and costly. Playing nice is a much better option, and tucking your pride is much easier than pitting your daughter against you because you had her mother arrested.”

My hands grip the arm rests. I can’t believe what he’s telling me to do—let Aubrey take Amelie to Johannesburg—and then what?

“What if I never see her again?”

He looks through his notes. “You’ve been there before?”

I nod. “Yes, with Doctors Without Borders.”

“I’m assuming your passport is in good standing?”

“Yes.”

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