Chapter 7 - The Divorce Clause
The proposed divorce settlement was almost insulting in its confidence.
Javier would relinquish claims to our apartment and shared savings.
In exchange, I would agree not to pursue legal action related to the forged documents.
Buried deeper was language concerning “future commercial interests” connected to the beach property.
Gabriel circled it.
“He’s still trying.”
I looked at Javier’s attorney.
“Remove every reference to my inherited property.”
Javier leaned back.
“Then there’s no deal.”
“Fine.”
His lawyer whispered something to him.
Javier shook his head.
“No.”
For years, compromise had been the language of our marriage.
But compromise only works when both people surrender something.
Javier’s definition had always been simpler.
I surrendered.
He decided.
That ended that morning.
“I won’t trade my silence for a divorce,” I said.
His eyes hardened.
“You want to destroy me.”
“No. I want you to stop using me to save yourself.”
I stood.
The meeting ended.
Two days later, Javier returned to the beach house without permission.
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And this time, the security camera my father had installed above the study door recorded exactly what he was looking for.
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