On My 35th Birthday, I Found My Husband Had Been Playing House Next Door for 108 Days novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: The Judge

The courtroom was full by a quarter to nine.

Half of Bluewater's parents sat in the gallery in their work clothes.

Dalton's mother sat on the other side in her camel coat, alone, with her purse on her knees.

Keith sat behind my table, one row back, because my lawyer had said, "Not beside you. Behind. Where the judge can see he isn't sitting beside you."

I did not turn around.

I could feel him there anyway.

The judge was a woman with reading glasses and no patience.

"This is a hearing on property," she said. "The petition about the pregnancy was withdrawn at mediation, which I note was wise. I have a motion on a sum of fifteen thousand dollars and a set of dishes."

"Her mother's wedding china, Your Honor," my lawyer said.

"A gift to both of them," Dalton's lawyer said. "Given on their wedding day."

"By whom?"

"Her late mother."

"To the bride," my lawyer said. "Her mother gave it to Monica the morning of the wedding, in front of the florist, who has signed a statement."

The judge wrote something down.

"Mr. Whitlow," she said. "Take the stand."

Dalton walked up, and he put his hand on the book and promised.

My lawyer stood and asked him four questions, very slowly.

"Mr. Whitlow, who is Milo Ellery?"

He looked at the judge.

"A boy I know."

"Is he your son?"

"I'm not sure."

There was a sound in the gallery.

"You told your wife on the night of the banquet that he was."

"I was upset."

"Six years ago Ms. Ellery sent you a photo of a newborn with a line about his eyes. Did she?"

"I don't recall."

"Eight transfers totaling fifteen thousand dollars went from the joint savings to Ms. Ellery between July and October. Did you make them?"

"Yes."

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