Chapter 84

As soon as I see Miles standing outside the restaurant we agreed to meet at, I feel so comfortable, the words just tumble out of my mouth. “Miles, would you go to my divorce hearing and speak on my behalf to the judge?”

He seems puzzled for a moment, likely at the sudden topic out of nowhere. But he recovers quickly. “Of course I will,” he says with a smile. “I’d be happy to do it.”

I understand Hugo’s concerns and appreciate him for voicing them, but looking at the sincerity and eagerness in Miles’s face, I don’t see how they are warranted.

Miles says he will help me, so he will help me.

Simple as that.

The next morning, I stop my Odette Wroth’s office. Since I don’t have an appointment so I tell her assistant the good news to convey.

In the short time from when I leave her office to when I arrive at work, I already have an email from Odette, praising me for my skills of persuasion and letting me know she’s pushing everything forward.

This is really happening, then. I sit with that knowledge for a moment, letting it fully wash over me.

My divorce is in motion. With Miles, Hugo, Cynthia, and Odette backing me, soon I’ll be free of Garnar in almost every way. We’ll still co-parent of course, but an occasional phone call or seeing each other when picking up or dropping off the kids, I can handle.

It’s being forever under his thumb that I can no longer stand. Soon, I’ll be able to breathe again, all on my own.

Those thoughts are a comfort to me in the days and weeks ahead, as court dates are set and papers delivered. At home Garnar doesn’t say a word about it to me, but I can see the hate in his eyes whenever he looks at me. He’s going to fight me on this in court. I know it.

On the days I feel low, Cynthia is there for me, or I text with Miles. He’s too busy to see me right now with his press schedule, but he always makes time to answer my texts.

The day of the hearing, I’m so nervous I can’t stop pacing in the lobby of the courthouse. Cynthia is there, along with Odette, Hugo, and Mr. Carver. There’s no sign of Miles yet, which isn’t helping my nerves. The hearing starts in twenty minutes.

“There’s still lots of time,” Cynthia says, coming near me.

Garnar is already inside the courtroom with his own lawyer. The girls, thankfully, are at school. They aren’t needed for this part of the case. Today is mostly the judge listening to my character witnesses.

I’m surprised Thea isn’t here to witness the potential scene. She does so love the drama. I imagine she’ll slip in at some point during the actual hearing, once it’s started.

“We don’t have to start with him,” Odette says. “Even if he’s late, we can manage.”

Hugo visibly checks his watch.

I start holding my breath.

As hearing starts and Hugo takes the stand to speak with the judge, I have to force myself to take breaths every now and again. Hugo speaks very eloquently and answers all of Odette’s questions about me in very flattering ways.

“She is a diligent employee, very hard working and good with her co-workers as well as those she meets in the field. It’s clear to me that she has a big heart and a high level of intelligence. In my experience, it’s hard to find someone with both of those, but Esther is special.”

“Tell us how you decided to give her the job,” Garnar snapped, speaking up from his own table. His lawyer hushes him. To his lawyer, he loudly says, “She slept with him to get the job.”

“That is not true,” Hugo replies firmly.

“Mr. Graham,” the judge says and slams his gavel. “Do not speak up during these proceedings. If you have something to say, your lawyer can say it for you.”

“I took a chance hiring Esther, as I do hiring any employee. That’s why, just as any employee, she was hired on a temporary basis. She has earned her spot among her co-workers,” Hugo continues. “And she did so entirely on her own merits.”

“Thank you, Mr. Harbinger,” Odette says.

As Hugo steps down from the stand, Odette looks out across the seats of the courtroom. Whatever she sees makes her smile. I try to turn, but her voice tells me what to expect far before I see anyone.

“Representative Miles Hamilton will be our next to speak on Esther’s behalf, your honor,” Odette says.

“Very well. Representative Hamilton, please step forward,” the judge says.

“Happy to, your honor,” Miles says from the back of the room. He walks forward and I finally see him.

He’s dressed professionally with a crisp black suit and blue tie. Even his hair is slicked back in a more professional looking way, though whatever hair product he used seems to be struggling to keep those few dark strands from hanging over his forehead.

Radiating smooth confidence, he takes his spot beside the judge and is sworn in. Once he sits, Odette walks toward him.

“I believe Miles Hamilton needs no introduction, judge, but just in case. Representative Hamilton is the youngest congressman and also a presidential candidate. He is here to speak on Esther’s personal behalf.”

The judge nods. “Proceed.”

“Representative Hamilton, if you could, just tell the judge some about Esther’s character.”

“Esther is a good woman,” Miles says. “She’s a hard worker. A job as a stay-at-home mom is no joke. She’s kept that house healthy for years. She supported her husband and raised her kids. She gave everything she had to her family.

“When things went south, she took it hard, but she never gave up. Esther’s tough as nails, your honor. She took a bad situation and tried to make the most of it. Seeing that things were going bad with Garnar, she got herself a job and then a promotion. But she’s still home to feed her girls and care for them.”

“How did you meet Esther?” Odette asks.

Oh, God, no. I should have warned Odette not to ask those kinds of questions. If she knew the truth, she never would have asked. If the judge learns it, I might never see my kids again.

That I accidentally mistook the youngest congressman as a call boy will not look good for me here.

“Now that’s a long story,” Miles says with an easy smile.

I try to signal with my eyes for him to keep our secret, but he’s not looking at me.

“And it starts a long time ago,” Miles continues.

Not that long ago!

“Just admit you fucked her!” Garnar snaps, standing so sharply that his chair careens into the ground.

“Mr. Graham!” the judge says.

His voice is swallowed by Garnar’s continued yelling. “You had an affair with Esther! You ruined everything!”

“That is enough, Mr. Garnar!” the judge says louder. “One more outburst and you will be held in contempt.”

“He was having an affair with her! Just ask him!”

Miles coolly leans forward. Looking right at Garnar, he says, “I would like to remind Mr. Graham that Esther was not the one who committed affairs.”