Crowell was taken aback by the sight, his gaze flicking to Fionaâs face as it paled at an alarming rate, reminding him of the time heâd witnessed Laceyâs heart attack years ago. âFiona? Hey, whatâs wrong?â
With a sharp, clattering noise, Fiona knocked over the cup beside her, her vision swimming as she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. The lawyer, always calm in the face of chaos, quickly assessed the situation and recognized the signs of respiratory alkalosis. While the lawyer made the call for emergency help, Crowell, ever self-serving, slipped away unnoticed.
Fiona was rushed to the hospital, where the doctor insisted on observing her for twelve hours before she could be discharged. The lawyer, ever the professional, remained composed, offering advice to Fiona, urging her not to let Crowellâs actions rattle her so much. âThe angrier you get, the more it shows heâs got you exactly where he wants you.â
Fiona, her face pale and an oxygen mask in place, let out a shaky breath, despair heavy in her chest as she recalled Crowellâs smug expression. âWouldnât you be angry if it were you?â
âIâve handled many cases like yours,â the lawyer said. âWhat heâs doing is a common tactic. Even if he did move assets around, the judge wouldnât recognize it. Divorce cases ultimately come down to mindset.â
The lawyer shared some other cases, and hearing about someone who not only left with nothing but also took on a huge debt, Fiona felt somewhat relieved. After giving a few final instructions, the lawyer left to attend to other matters, leaving Fiona alone in her hospital room. She shared the space with an elderly woman who had been bedridden for who knew how many years.
That evening, Fiona was discharged and returned to a house that felt emptier than everâwithout Crowell, without her son. A heavy loneliness settled over her. Even if she went through with the divorce, Crowell would always be the father of her son, making her question whether having a child was truly a blessing or more of a curse.
Thankfully, the lawyerâs words echoed in her mind. Everyone must face the consequences of their decisions. Having a child hadnât been Crowellâs decision alone. The child wasnât just Crowellâs; he was hers too, and though her life hadnât turned out as sheâd hoped, it was still her life, her decision. She couldnât let her child bear the weight of her choices.
Sitting on the entryway bench, Fiona buried her face in her hands, letting the stillness of the house settle around her. After a long, thoughtful pause, she slowly gathered enough strength to act. Reaching for her phone, she dialed Crowellâs mother.
âZoey, is the child asleep? Can I pick him up now?â
âFiona, youâve been so tired lately taking care of the child. Let him stay with me for now. Donât worry, weâll take good care of him.â
Fiona was shocked. âWhat do you mean?â
âNothing, really. Arenât you and Crowell going through a divorce? Donât you realize how much this will affect the kid? For his future, itâs better he stays here. Once youâve got your life sorted, you can come visit him.â
Fionaâs heart sank as she processed the words. The divorce hadnât even gone to court, and already, they were treating the custody as if it belonged to them. The lawyer had warned her about this. It was a standard tactic in many divorces. Many women, even after winning custody, had their children forcibly taken by their husbands.
âZoey, I didnât want this divorce. Crowell has been having an affair for a long time!â Fiona said, her voice tight with frustration.
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