The next two weeks passed in a whirlwind. Rebeca filed the documents, took the evidence to the lawyer, and began the process to reopen her divorce case.
Her lawyer, a sharp-eyed woman named Renata Mendes, examined everything with eyes that widened with each page.
— That’s substantial. It’s really substantial. Where did you get that from?
— A friend.
— A very good friend.
Renata turned a few more pages and whistled softly.
This is enough not only to reopen your case, but potentially to file criminal charges. Do you want to proceed with this?
Rebeca thought about it. About Garrett in handcuffs, in court, in prison. You thought you’d want that. But sitting in Renata’s office, she realized something. He no longer cared what happened to Garrett. Not anymore. He only wanted what was rightfully his.
Let’s start by reopening the case. We’ll get a fair settlement. We can discuss criminal charges later.
Renata nodded.
— Smart. One step at a time.
How long will it take?
Months, maybe a year. These things move slowly, especially when the other party is going to fight back.
— And Garrett is going to fight. That makes him look really bad.
— Very bad.
– Excellent.
Renata smiled.
I like you. Let’s destroy him.
Rebeca left the office feeling lighter, stronger. She had taken the first step, the most difficult one. Now came the second part.
Juliano wanted to get to know the children properly. The thought terrified her.
She spoke to them carefully, sat with them after dinner one night. They were eight years old now, old enough to understand.
“Mom, you’re making that serious face,” Emilia said. “Are we in trouble?”
No, dear. No need to worry.
I just need to talk to you about one thing.
Evan put down the tablet.
Is it about Dad?
No. Well, sort of. But mostly about me.
Okay.
They seemed worried.
— I have a friend, a good friend, someone I’ve been seeing for a while. And he’d like to meet you, if that’s alright.
Silence. Then Evan asked the question she had been dreading.
— Is he your boyfriend? Because Dad said you’ll never find anyone as good as him.
The words hit like a slap. Rebecca kept a neutral face. Calm.
Did your father say that?
— Yeah. He said you’re very… I don’t know. He used words I didn’t understand. But he said nobody would want to date you.
Emilia agreed.
He said you weren’t taking care of yourself. That’s why he left. Because you got lazy.
Rebekah’s hands clenched in her lap, under the table, where they couldn’t see. She wanted to scream, to rage. Instead, she breathed.
— Your father is wrong. I wasn’t lazy. I was taking care of you both. And that was hard work. Very hard work. Harder than any job I’ve ever had.
“We know,” Emilia said quickly. “We know you work hard.”
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