My Husband Was Getting Married Again, So I Called the Police Chapter 07
A week later, David’s case moved.
The evidence was airtight, and he had pleaded guilty, so the prosecutor recommended one year.
Suspended.
Which meant he might never see the inside of a cell.
I was at the law firm when I heard it.
I asked, “What does suspended mean?”
Diane explained, “Bigamy is not a heavy charge to begin with. It’s a first offense and he pleaded, so the court may suspend the sentence. He serves no time and stays under supervision for two years.”
f froze for a second.
“So nothing happens to him at all?”
“Not quite. He has a criminal record now, and that will follow him into every job. And in the divorce, he‘ s the party at fault, so the property split runs in your favor.”
I said nothing.
I didn’t care whether he went to prison.
What I cared about was the money.
It was eight years of what I had put in.
And it was Sarah’s future.
“When’s the divorce court date?” I asked.
“Next week. Property and custody get decided together.”
“I want the house, and I want full custody of Sarah.”
“The house is basically yours. You’ve got the down payment receipts and all the mortgage records.
And for Sarah, with him facing criminal charges, there’s no way you won’t get full custody.”
I nodded.
“And what about the house he bought for his mistress?”
“That’s a whole separate case. I’ve already taken her to court for you, but she’s stonewalling us, so now we just have to wait for the hearing.”
“Alright.”
I stood up, ready to leave.
I was about to walk out.
Diane stopped me.
‘Rachel.”
“Yeah?”
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
Her expression was serious.
“What is it?”
“David had somebody reach out to me. He wants to settle privately.”
“Settle?”
“He wants the criminal case dropped. In exchange he’ll sign the whole house over to you and pay you another 170 thousand dollars.”
I let out a cold laugh.
“One hundred and seventy thousand? He moved
430 thousand to her and he offers me 170?”
“He says it’s all spent and he can’t produce it.”
“Then make his mistress cough it up.”
“She won’t. She says David gave it to her willingly, so she doesn’t owe me a thing.”
I took a deep breath.
“No way.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” I looked at Diane. “This was never about the money. I want him to pay for it. Let the sentence be suspended. That record follows him for life.”
Diane nodded.
“All right.”
I walked out of the law firm.
The sun was shining bright outside.
And then it came to me that it was our anniversary.
Eight years ago today, David and I tied the knot.
He gave me roses and said he would love me for the rest of his life.
Eight years later, I was preparing to end it.
And he was in a holding cell waiting to be tried.
Life had a sense of humor.
I pulled out my phone and opened my social media.
I posted something.
[Eight years of marriage, and one long sigh at the end of it. From today, I live for myself.]
I posted a picture of me and Sarah.
No filters, just us.
After I posted it, I blocked Margaret and every one of David’s relatives.
The new life started that day.