Chapter 3
Michael looked up sharply. "What guarantee?"
Anna pulled a bank receipt out of the drawer. "It came from the bank last week. You used your pay stubs to apply for a business loan for the store, but you listed this place as the contact address."
Richard's expression changed. "That loan was for the store's regular cash flow."
"I never said it was anything unusual," Anna replied and slid the agreement across the table to Michael. "So don't expect me to cover for you."
Linda reached for the agreement. "Did you want a divorce all along?"
"You were the ones who brought it up," Anna replied.
"We wanted to see where you stood," Linda shot back.
"My stance is right here on the paper," Anna said.
Michael picked up the agreement and flipped through it quickly.
He figured that since Anna had lost her job, she wouldn't be making any money anytime soon.
After the divorce, once the house was sold, he could get back his down payment and part of what he'd paid toward the mortgage.
As long as he didn't have to support Anna in the future, he wouldn't be losing out with this agreement.
"Michael, sign it," Linda urged.
Michael gritted his teeth and signed his name on the last page.
As he finished signing, Anna's phone buzzed.
It was a message from the HR Director. [Your compensation package is approved. The money will hit your account tomorrow morning. As for the deferred incentives, they'll be paid out later.]
Linda was standing close enough to catch the words "hit your account" on the screen.
She stared at Anna's phone. [How much did the company actually pay you?]
Anna locked her phone screen. "That's none of your business."
Linda's face fell instantly. "How is it not my business? You two aren't divorced yet. That money still belongs to both of you."
Anna turned to Michael. "Is she right?"
Michael stared at the signed agreement, feeling his chest tighten. "If the compensation includes salary from when we were married, then yeah, we'd have to divide that."
Anna gave a small chuckle. "You know your stuff, huh?"
Michael stayed silent.
He'd been helping his dad with the loan paperwork these past few days and ended up meeting a contract lawyer.
As soon as his parents found out Anna had been laid off, they immediately started asking about who would get the compensation.
They rushed over that night because they not only worried about Michael having to support Anna, but also were eager to get that money into the family's bank account as soon as possible.
But nobody ever asked Anna how it felt to suddenly lose her job.
Richard softened his tone. "Anna, if we sounded harsh, it's because we didn't want Michael to be overwhelmed.
"The store is running low on cash right now. If we can get through this, we'll make it up to you.
"Don't let what we said earlier get to you."
Anna gathered up the two copies of the agreement. "You were the ones who wanted the divorce, and Michael was the one who signed his name. See you in court at nine tomorrow morning."
Linda got anxious. "We haven't sorted out the compensation yet. Who gave you permission to walk out?"
Anna picked up her phone from the coffee table.
The recorder was still running.
Linda saw the screen and went quiet.
Anna hit save. "I've saved everything you said tonight. The divorce agreement also makes it clear. Any personal debts we've both acknowledged are each party's own responsibility.
"If anyone wants to change their mind, then don't bother coming tomorrow."
Richard grabbed Linda's arm. "Let's go home."
As they reached the door, Richard glanced back at Anna.
"Anna, don't let a fight last past midnight. Don't burn your bridges," Richard said.
Anna closed the door. "You made your own choices."
*****
The next morning, at 8:40, Michael showed up at the court.
He hadn't slept a wink, and the dark circles under his eyes were impossible to miss.
"My mom was way out of line last night," Michael said.
"Yeah," Anna replied.
"If you're willing to lay out the compensation, we could take a month to think things over."
"No need."
Michael looked at her. "Are you not worried about never finding another job?"
"That's my problem."
"I'm not trying to jinx you."
"I know."
Anna's calm only made Michael more anxious.
He thought, 'The Anna I know always has a plan. She is never the type to act out of spite when it comes to her future.
'The way she managed to organize the finances, the loan, and the divorce settlement all in one night proves she has been ready for this all along.'
"Did Charles set you up with a new job?" Michael asked.
"Not yet," Anna replied.
That was the truth.
The consulting contract was still pending approval, and there was no reason to hold onto the marriage for something that might not happen.
The clerk called out their number.
Document check, signatures, and final confirmation. The paperwork was all over in less than thirty minutes.
Michael stared at the Marital Settlement Agreement for a long time. "Is this how four years end?"
Anna slipped the agreement into her bag. "You could've said no last night."
"I thought, with you losing your job, everyone needed some time to cool off."
"So you signed first, to make sure you wouldn't lose out."