Chapter 5 - The Clean Exit
Eric slowly lifted his head, his eyes darting between David and Ashley. "Paternity test?" Eric choked out. "Ashley... you said it was mine. You swore it was mine."
"It's not," David stated flatly. He tossed the lab results onto the stage at Ashley's feet. "The kid is mine. And considering you just tried to extort a married man on a microphone in front of the mayor, my lawyer feels pretty good about my chances for full custody."
Ashley crumpled.
She literally sank to her knees on the stage, sobbing hysterically, burying her face in her hands as the reality of her total destruction washed over her. She had tried to steal a fortune, and instead, she had publicly confessed to an affair with a bankrupt man, lost her child's custody battle before it even began, and alienated every member of our family in one fell swoop.
Eric sat frozen in his chair, completely isolated, having lost his marriage, his career, his wealth, and his imaginary child in the span of five minutes.
I didn't say another word to either of them.
I turned to the retired judge at the next table, who was watching the scene with wide, fascinated eyes.
May you like
"You were right about the chicken, Your Honor," I said politely. "It really is too dry."
I picked up my evening clutch, turned my back on my ex-husband and my ruined cousin, and walked out of the ballroom. The doors closed softly behind me, leaving the chaos, the sobbing, and the wreckage exactly where they belonged—in the past.
