Page 43 of No Turning Back
I bite my cheek to keep from smiling. I swear Markus’s lawyer might actually combust.
“Fine, let’s move on,” Ms. Connelly says, shuffling her papers. “Can you have children, Mrs. Ortega?”
Before I can launch across the table, Philip’s voice cuts in, smooth but firm. “We’ve already established for the record that my client has legally changed her name back to her maiden name. Please use that. And while we’re at it, what possible relevance does my client’s medical history have to do with the division of assets?”
Ms. Connelly opens her mouth, but he’s not done.
“I’ll give you one warning,” Philip continues, leaning forward just enough to make her pause. “Do not make me end this deposition for asking unnecessary, invasive questions with no legal bearing on the case.”
The room goes quiet except for the steady clack of the court reporter’s keys.
I sit back, crossing my arms, daring her to push it.
Ms. Connelly blinks, caught off guard, then glances down at her notes like she’s searching for safer ground.
“Alright,” she says, a little too briskly. “Then let’s talk about your finances. How much did your father leave you in his inheritance?”
Philip’s brow lifts just slightly. “You’re aware inheritance is separate property under Texas law, correct?”
She gives a tight smile. “Yes, but we’re entitled to know the value for purposes of-”
“No,” Philip interrupts, his voice just as calm as before. “You’re entitled to know what’s considered community property. My client’s inheritance is not on the table. We’re not doing a fishing expedition here.”
Ms. Connelly folds her hands. “We have reason to believe that the inheritance from Dr. Barnes was intended for the benefit of both Mr. and Mrs. Ortega.”
Philip doesn’t even blink. “Then I’ll expect to see your proof of that. Because as you know, the burden of proving conversion to community property is on your client.”
Markus leans forward, ignoring Philip entirely, his eyes locked on me. “You know damn well your father-”
“Stop,” Philip says sharply, cutting him off without raising his voice. “You address me, not my client. If you can’t follow deposition procedure, we’ll end this right now and take it up with the judge.”
Markus sits back, jaw tight, but says nothing. Ms. Connelly clears her throat and flips a page in her notes. “Moving on…”
Ms. Connelly adjusts her glasses. “Ms. Barnes-”
“Doctor,” Philip corrects without looking up from his notes.
She gives him a tight smile. “Dr Barnes… have you received any large financial gifts from anyone other than your father in the past five years?”
I glance at Philip, already wondering if a Target gift card from Kate counts, but he nods for me to answer.
“No.”
“Not even from Mr. Ortega?” she presses.
“Birthday gifts. Christmas gifts. The usual.”
“Anything valued over five thousand dollars?”
I shake my head, then remember. “No.”
Ms. Connelly jots something down, then looks up. “Do you currently cohabitate with anyone?”
“Yes.”
Her pen stills. “Name?”
“Sam Carver.”
