Page 27 of Only Fate

“Get over it and move on.” Rhett clenches his jaw. “I sure have.”

“That’s easier said than done,” Brielle fires back. “But maybe the next guy I marry won’t last only three seconds and have a penis smaller than my pinky.”

I cover my mouth to stop myself from laughing.

Adrian snorts, resulting in a glare from Rhett.

Not in the mood to listen to their bickering, I open my folder with Brielle’s information. “Let’s start with spousal support.”

Rhett releases another huff. “She can get a damn job.”

“The only job she’s had for years was working for you, inand out of the home,” I say, beating Brielle from talking more shit. “She needs assistance to provide and care for your children while getting on her feet.” I sigh. “Come on, Rhett. Let’s be fair here.”

“If she needs something for the children, I’ll buy it,” Rhett argues. “But I don’t want a dime going to her. We’re done, so I have no responsibility to care for her any longer. Give me custody if she’s too broke to care for their needs.”

“As if you’d care for them,” Brielle sneers. “You never even changed a diaper, you lazy bastard.”

Rhett finally looks in his wife’s direction. “That’s what the hired help is for.”

Brielle winces. “Oh,now, you think that’s what hired help is for? Before, you thought the nannies were only there for you to fuck.”

Rhett holds up his hand. “I didn’t sleep with anyone until we separated.”

“Bullshit.” Brielle raises her voice. “Everyone has seen you gallivanting around with the nanny. It’s humiliating!”

“She’s there for the children.”

“The children are with me!” Brielle yells. “Now,youquit wastingmytime. I want half of the business because I was there with you every step of the way.”

Rhett grits his teeth. “My family has run that plumbing business for generations?—”

“And it was barely surviving when you took over. I gave you my savings and the inheritance from my grandparents to keep it from bankruptcy. You had nothing when we married, and you'd probably still have nothing if it wasn’t for me.”

“She has a valid point,” I add.

Rhett’s icy glare cuts to me. “Shut up, Essie.”

“Whoa,” Adrian snaps, turning to Rhett. He leans in, his face close to his client’s. “One thing you won’t do here is disrespect anyone in this room. Don’t speak to either of these women like that. Now, stay calm, Rhett.”

“Whose side are you on here?” Rhett pounds his finger into his chest. “You’remyattorney.”

Adrian doesn’t flinch at Rhett. “Attorney or not, you will respect all parties in this room, or you will leave.”

Rhett cunningly stares at Brielle. “She doesn’t have bills and lives with her parents, and I disapprove of the living conditions there. That alone should give me custody.”

“There is nothing wrong with my living conditions,” Brielle argues.

Rhett scoffs.

“Is it what they’re used to? No. But that’s where I grew up, and I had no problems.”

He looks at Adrian. “It’s terrible.”

“You liar.” Brielle’s chin quivers as Rhett starts to wear her down. “Don’t you dare insult my parents.”

This needs to stop.

We won’t come to an agreement today.

---