Chapter 2
Brian probably figured this was just another one of my so-called meltdowns, like all those arguments before.
But this time, he couldn't be more wrong.
Nothing was sadder than when one finally gave up.
When a woman didn't even have the energy to shed a single tear, that was truly the end.
Early the next morning, I called Michael Turner, my older brother.
"Hey, I replied," I said.
His voice came through, groggy and lazy, but there was a clear note of concern.
"Claire? What's up? Did that jerk mess with you again?" Michael asked.
Michael was the son my parents adopted. We weren't related by blood, but he was the only person I could really rely on.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I'm getting a divorce. I need the best divorce lawyer out there," I said.
The line went quiet for a solid ten seconds.
When Michael finally spoke, the lazy tone was gone, replaced by calm determination.
"Text me your address. I'll be there in a minute."
Half an hour later, Michael showed up at the hospital room door with a man in gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a no-nonsense, authoritative vibe.
"Claire, this is Mr. Jeremy Parker. He's a divorce specialist, never lost a case," Michael said.
I nodded and spread out the photos I'd snapped last night, along with all the dirt I'd collected on Brian's cheating over the past three years, right in front of Jeremy.
Good thing I kept proof every time my heart broke.
It wasn't about revenge. I just wanted to give myself closure when this day finally came.
Jeremy looked over the evidence, his eyes gleaming with determination behind his gold-rimmed glasses.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Kingston. Mr. Kingston is the one at fault. For both custody and splitting assets, we're in a really strong position," Jeremy assured me.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was Susan, Brian's mother.
I hesitated for a second, but picked up anyway.
Susan sounded exhausted and remorseful on the phone.
She said, "Claire, I'm really sorry.
"I know everything Brian has done.
"Whatever you decide, I'll support you. You and Anna have a rightful claim to half of the Kingston property."
My eyes burned, and I nearly broke down in tears.
It was the warmest thing anyone from the Kingston family had ever said to me since I married in.
"Susan, thank you," I whispered.
"Sweetheart, if anyone should be thanking someone, it's me," Susan sighed. "I've already frozen all of Brian's bank accounts. Let him stew for a while and reflect on his actions. Take care of yourself, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to me."
After hanging up, I glanced at Michael and Jeremy, feeling a wave of newfound strength swell inside me.
I wasn't fighting this battle alone.
*****
Later that afternoon, Brian showed up.
He'd changed into a fresh outfit, hair slicked back with not a strand out of place, looking like he was ready for a magazine cover. Yet those dark circles under his eyes totally gave away how wrecked he actually was.
He probably assumed I'd just let it go after a day, that my anger would have faded by now.
"Claire, stop fussing. Come home with me," Brian said.
His tone softened, like he was trying to sweet-talk me into coming back.
Without even looking at him, I slid the divorce papers Jeremy had drafted right across the table to him.
Brian's face froze, his expression turning to stone.
He picked up the papers, and when he saw the section about splitting the assets, his head jerked up, staring at me in shock.
"Claire, are you seriously asking for that much?" Brian blurted out.
Jeremy adjusted his glasses and spoke calmly.
"Mr. Kingston, you cheated on your wife during the marriage and tried to move assets around. Ms. Sutton is only asking for what the law says she's entitled to. That includes 51% of the shares in Kingston Sutton Investments."
Kingston Sutton Investments was the company he named after us, the one thing he prized most from before we got married.
Brian laughed angrily, sarcasm flashing in his eyes.
"You really think you can pull this off, Claire? Did you forget? Every dime you've ever spent came from me!" Brian sneered.
Michael stepped right in front of me, his tall frame blocking Brian like a human shield, radiating pure intimidation.
He curled his lips into a lazy, mocking grin. Every word he dropped hit right where it hurt.
"Brian, did you forget? If Claire's mom hadn't donated a kidney to your mom, who knows if your family would even be where it is now.
"So now that you've got your power, you're just burning bridges and tossing her people aside?"
Brian's face suddenly turned pale.