That evening, he came home furious.
“You’re destroying seventeen years because I made a mistake.”
“A mistake doesn’t require a second apartment.”
His face hardened.
After the Divorce, I Took My Three Daughters and Moved to California. While My Ex-Mother-in-Law Was Busy Treating My Husband’s Son With Another Woman Like the Heir to Her Fortune, the Housekeeper Suddenly Walked Into a Family Dinner With an Envelope—and One Sentence Left Everyone at the Table Completely Stunned.
“I love Theo.”
“I never said you shouldn’t.”
“And Serena?”
I looked at him.
“What about her?”
“She’ll probably become part of my life.”
“Then I suggest you start building that life.”
He hadn’t expected that.
Graham expected screaming. He expected threats. Most importantly, he expected me to become terrified once he mentioned custody and money.
Instead, my attorney had already documented nearly $380,000 Graham had moved from marital accounts toward Serena’s rent, travel, jewelry, and expenses connected to Theo.
The discovery changed the divorce negotiations considerably.
It also changed Graham’s confidence.
When he threatened an ugly custody fight, my attorney reminded his attorney that financial discovery would become considerably more detailed.
Within weeks, we reached an agreement.
I received primary residential custody.
Graham received scheduled parenting time.
And because I had been offered a senior position with a healthcare company in Santa Barbara, California, the relocation was approved subject to the custody arrangement we negotiated.
Graham hated it.
His mother hated it more.
Vivian called me the evening the agreement was finalized.
“You’re taking my granddaughters three thousand miles away because your feelings were hurt.”
“No, Vivian. Your son created another household while married to me. I’m accepting a job and rebuilding mine.”
“You’ve always been vindictive.”
I almost laughed.
“Then perhaps we’re fortunate I waited seventeen years to show it.”
I hung up.
But Graham still had one final strategy.
Audrey.
I returned from grocery shopping one afternoon and heard voices in the living room.
Graham was sitting across from our oldest daughter.
He had stopped by supposedly to collect several documents.
Instead, he was recruiting her.
“You wouldn’t have to change schools,” he told Audrey. “Your friends are here. Your soccer team is here. Grandma’s here.”
Audrey sat with her laptop closed across her knees.
“What about Mom?”
“Your mom wants California.”
“And Mia and Lucy?”
“They’re young. They’ll adjust.”
I remained in the hallway.
Graham continued.
“You could stay with me. I’ll renovate the upstairs suite for you. And when you’re seventeen, I’ll get you whatever car you want.”
Audrey stared at him.
“So Mom takes my sisters?”
“Yes.”
“And I stay here?”
“Exactly.”
