Chapter 10 - What We Had Been Married To
Adrian’s driver was named Peter.
He had two children.
He used to keep peppermints in the console because I got carsick.
For several seconds, that was all I could think about.
Peppermints.
A blue plastic bag.
A man who always asked whether the temperature was all right.
Adrian walked into the bathroom.
He shut the door.
When he came out, he’d washed his face.
His eyes were red.
“I need to call his wife.”
“Let the police reach her first,” Ortiz said.
He nodded.
His hand shook when he put the phone away.
The next morning, Ruth connected us to the emergency hearing from a hospital conference room.
I wore a robe over my clothes.
Adrian sat three chairs away.
Lucia appeared on another screen beside her attorney.
She looked rested.
That nearly broke me.
Her lawyer described me as fragile.
Easily influenced.
Overwhelmed by pregnancy.
Then he mentioned Adrian’s sworn statement.
Ruth stood.
“We have an updated statement from Mr. Moretti, the treating physician’s records, and evidence that the medical documents attached to this petition were fabricated.”
Lucia’s face stayed composed.
Adrian raised his hand to be sworn in.
He didn’t soften anything.
“I signed the original statement without speaking to my wife. I accepted information supplied by my mother and employees whose conduct is now under investigation.”
The judge leaned forward.
“Why?”
Adrian looked at me.
“Because I was angry. Because I thought being betrayed would make me look weak. Because it was easier to believe a report than admit I hadn’t listened to her.”
My throat tightened.
He turned back.
“Those are explanations. They aren’t excuses.”
Ruth submitted the clinic records.
Dr. Sloan testified.
The judge denied Lucia’s emergency request.
For one bright second, I could breathe.
Then Lucia spoke.
“Your Honor, there are concerns about the child’s environment.”
The judge stopped her.
“Your counsel may address the court.”
But Lucia wasn’t looking at the judge.
She was looking at Adrian.
“You know what your business brings into a home.”
Adrian’s face changed.
I looked at him.
After the hearing, Ruth closed the laptop.
Nobody celebrated.
“What did she mean?” I asked.
Adrian sat down.
“There are parts of the company I’ve allowed to operate that shouldn’t.”
“Illegal parts.”
“Yes.”
“People getting hurt.”
A long silence.
“Yes.”
My stomach turned.
He moved closer.
I lifted my hand.
“No. You don’t get to tell me everybody lied and then save the truth about yourself for last.”
He stopped.
Outside the conference room, Ortiz’s phone rang.
She listened.
Then she opened the door.
“Victor Sanz is missing.”
May you like
Her eyes moved to Adrian.
“And we found transfers out of accounts bearing your authorization.”
