“Let me explain it in terms you will understand; it means that I’ve filed for separation, Jeffrey. You should be getting the papers from Hunter within the next few days. That means I have every legal right to kick you out of my property. So, get the fuck out!” My rage had finally erupted, and I pushed him away from me, thoroughly shocking him in the process. I shot him a look of pure disgust, turned my heel, and stomped my way upstairs to the master bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me. As soon as I sat on the bed in total exasperation, I received a notification on my phone.
Leon VD: Did you make it home?
Me: Yes.
Leon VD: You don’t seem very happy. What’s wrong?
Me: Jeff was waiting for me. We had a few words. Well, more like a few screams at each other. He’s still trying to play as if he’s not cheating on me. What a fucking asshole! Does he take me for a fool?
Leon VD: Don’t worry too much about it. We’re going to get the evidence we need against him and Sadie. Then, you’ll serve him with the papers before he even knows what hit him.
Me: I already told him that Hunter would be serving him with separation papers.
Leon VD: You filed for legal separation?
Me: Yeah, I did it earlier today before I went to meet with you. Hunter will have the papers ready within 48 hours. I also kicked him out of the penthouse.
Leon VD: Do you think he will leave willingly? He’s a D.A.; he can fight the separation papers easily. You know that, don’t you?
Me: Be that as it may. He won’t. This will give him all the opportunities in the world to be with Sadie day in and day out, thus allowing for more chances to catch them in the act.
Leon VD: Oh, I see what you did there. You’re giving him an inch, hoping that he will take a mile and become complacent.
Me: Exactly. Jeffrey’s trying to sabotage me. He wants my penthouse and my practice because of the real estate value in both. I will never let him have either. My family’s name is on the penthouse, so he can’t have it either way. But he doesn’t need to know that. And the practice, I’ve already signed over half my shares to Kenzie. She owns the majority, so Jeff won’t be able to touch the practice without taking her to court. And trust me, he won’t be able to. Hunter’s brother is a commercial real estate attorney and has agreed to go up against Jeff if he tries to take the practice.
Leon VD: Well, well, well, it seems that I have underestimated you, Ms. Silverton.
Me: Just because I’m a doctor, it doesn’t mean I don’t know how to play dirty. Jeff betrayed me in the worst way possible, and it’s only fitting that I take everything from him and give him his comeuppance.
Leon VD: [insert clapping emoji] Well done, Ms. Silverton. Let me know once he’s left the penthouse, and I’ll have Jorge and his apprentice tail him.
Me: I will. Goodnight, Mr. Von Doren.
Leon VD: What will it take for you to address me by my name?
Me: Time.
Leon VD: Fine. Goodnight, Annika.
After his final text message came through, I threw the phone onto the bed and walked into the shower. Tomorrow was Sunday, and I had nothing planned except a small shopping spree with Kenzie. She had suggested we take some time to pamper ourselves with everything going on, and our girls’ day out always consisted of shopping, good eats, and a spa night.
After feeling like I had successfully scrubbed away all the bullshit from earlier, I concluded my shower, wrapped myself in a towel, and went back into the bedroom. As soon as I did, I heard the front door slam shut, and I waited for a few minutes but never heard the door open again. I walked out of my room and over to the guest room, and sure enough, Jeff had packed up his belongings and left.
“Good riddance,” I told myself and returned to my bedroom. Since Jeff had decided to actually leave, I figured he was probably on his way to his office or somewhere else to meet up with that skank of his. I quickly texted Leon to let him know that Jeff had left and subsequently called Hunter.
“Annika, do you realize what time it is?” he asked with a groggy voice.
“God, I’m sorry. I didn’t see the time. I’ll make this quick.”
“What’s up?”
“Jeff’s left the penthouse, and I kicked him out. Since I’m going to serve him with separation papers, can I change the locks on the penthouse to keep him from coming back in?”
“Yeah, you can. Since your name is on the deed, and you’re going to be legally separated, plus he left on his own accord, you have every right to change the locks and RFID on the penthouse.”
“Perfect. That’s all I needed to know. Thanks.”
“Uh-huh. Goodnight.”
“Night.”
I hung up and wasted no time sending an email to my dad to have him contact the penthouse’s HOA and security department to disable Jeff’s RFID card, his parking decal, and his fingerprints. I didn’t expect him to reply immediately.
Annika,
What is going on? Why are you disabling everything against Jeff? Did something happen? Whatever it is, you can tell me, princess. I’m worried, my darling daughter.
Call me.
Love,
Daddy.
I smiled and shook my head. Leave it to my dad to immediately sense that something was off. My doing something negative against Jeff means that hell has frozen over in my parents’ eyes. They knew better than anyone that I had been head over heels in love with him for many years. So, the fact that I was disabling him from entering the penthouse only means that something has indeed happened. And my darling father wanted to know about it right away. I wasn’t going to hide anything from him, but I wasn’t going to tell him anything either. I didn’t want them to get involved unless absolutely necessary, so I sent him a quick text.
Me: Hi, Daddy. Yes, something has happened. And I will tell you and mom all about it when the time is right. I need to handle this on my own first. Once everything is dealt with, I promise I will spare no details and tell you guys everything. Just trust me. I love you, Daddy. Mwah!
Daddy Bear: I don’t like you doing things on your sweetheart. You know I will move mountains for you. You just say the word, and Daddy will do anything and everything you want and need.
Me: I know, Daddy. I promise I will tell you if I need you. I’m okay. I promise. I just need you to do as I asked as soon as possible.
Daddy Bear: It’s already done. Call your mother when you have time. She misses hearing from you.
Me: I’ll call her tomorrow morning. Love you, Daddy Bear.
Daddy Bear: I love you too, my darling princess.
I put my phone on the charger and changed into my silk negligee. I lay down and snuggled against my goose-down pillows and inhaled the fresh laundry scent.
“Hm, I guess the housekeeper came by and cleaned the linen,” I mumbled to myself. And Jeff had the nerve to say the house looked like a pigsty. That fucker was as blind as a bat. “Just you wait, Jeff. You’re going to be kicking yourself when you find out who you betrayed. It won’t end with the divorce. I will make you wish you were never born when I’m through with you.”