Laughing, I put my phone in my pocket and attempted to stuff the papers back in order—stopping once I saw my signature. Forged.
Confused, I sifted through the other papers-noticing the same thing.
What is this?
“Let’s go, Daddy!” Emma tugged on my pants.
I tucked the folder underneath my arm and clasped her hand. “Your nap today is going to have to last for at least five hours. Do you know that?”
“I don’t like naps.”
“Of course you don’t…” I walked her out of our apartment and to my car. As usual, Ava had slipped a note underneath the windshield wipers.
Dear Husband,
I love you—so very much, and it pains me to see you, someone with as much money and status as you have, driving a car like this. I know you’re modest, and the most expensive suit you own probably costs eighty dollars, but come on! You have to live, Liam!
I’m taking you car shopping next week and I’m not taking no for an answer,
Ava.
PS—Thank you for the roses you sent me yesterday. I got you something special and placed it on your desk at the office.
I smiled and secured Emma into her car seat, giving in when she requested to listen to her favorite song on repeat while riding to the firm.
The sleek design of the building still took people’s breath away when they saw it for the first time. It was the one thing I spared no expense on when constructing; I made sure the translucent gold panels were state of the art, that the law scale statues were properly erected on marble ledges, and that the stone letters above the entrance—“Henderson & Hart” were polished every week.
And, as a giant “fuck you” to the government for burying my first case, the case that should’ve made me a household name and landed me on billboards all over this country, I had the office built right in front of their Social Security Office.
Pulling into the reserved parking spot, I looked in my rearview mirror—seeing that Emma was fast asleep.
Figures…
I stepped out and carried her inside anyway. I was sure she’d wake up soon.
“Good morning, Mr. Henderson.” An intern greeted me as I walked inside.
“Good morning, Laura,” I responded. “Am I in a different time zone today? Why is everyone awake and working right now?”
She blushed. “It’s tax season.”
“I keep hearing that…” I stepped onto the elevator. “I’ll see you later.”
Emma stirred in my arms, murmuring, but only soft snores followed.
When the elevator doors glided open, I walked through the massive “H&H” glass doors headed to Emma’s half-finished playroom. I gently lowered her onto the massive pink bed and tucked her under the covers, whispering “I love you,” before I dimmed the lights.
>“Could you also read what you wrote after the PS?”
I rolled my eyes. “Since you’ll only be around women for the next fifteen years, I suggest you give pu**y a try. The taste is quite impeccable.”
“Objection, your honor.” The prosecutor stood up. “I don’t see how this document is relevant to the case. The defense also failed to produce that letter during discovery. I move to strike.”
“Sustained. Consider it stricken.” The judge looked at his watch and then stood up. “Let’s adjourn for lunch. Testimony will continue this afternoon.”
As the jury and the courtroom attendees filed out, I sat still. I had nowhere to go.
“I didn’t know he was going to bring up your daughter. I’m so sorry…” The prosecutor offered me a small smile. “I’ll redirect once he gets done…Your partner is definitely going down, he’s just trying to discredit your character a bit, to make him look a little more sympathetic to the jury.”