The hearing opened with his attorney portraying Grant as a brilliant entrepreneur and me as a financially dependent wife. Vanessa pressed a tissue to imaginary tears while he described their affair as “a partnership born after the marriage had already failed.”

Lena barely spoke.

At last, the judge looked toward our table. “Mrs. Mercer, your counsel submitted a sealed letter this morning. Is that correct?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

Grant gave a quiet laugh. “Another diary entry?”

The judge opened the envelope.

He read the first page, followed by the second.

His eyebrows lifted.

Then a genuine, unexpected laugh escaped him. He covered his mouth, leaned back in his chair, and said softly, “Oh… this is good.”

Grant’s smile vanished.

Vanessa’s fingers stopped against his sleeve.

For the first time that morning, fear appeared on both their faces.

PART 2

Judge Whitmore peered over the top of his glasses. “Mr. Mercer, instruct your client not to leave the courthouse.”