Expect the Unexpected

Eight

October, 2020

        Dallas, Texas

Just like he'd promised the month previous, Rob didn't let his ex-wife go through any of her current turmoil alone since he was responsible for at least part of it. That was the very reason he'd paid a pretty penny for them to take a private jet out to Texas for her divorce hearing, considering that it'd gone to trial due to a failure at mediation. After all, it hadn't been filed as no-fault, which basically meant that either party was filing due to irreconcilable differences.

        In the Dallas County Courthouse, he more or less kept his distance while still giving Mishy as much support as he could. Obviously, there was no skirting around the fact that she was pregnant with his child for the third Time. There was already verified documentation due to her going to that OB/GYN to have her pregnancy confirmed in the first place, so she couldn't deny that part. And whether under oath or not, they'd both agreed that trying to lie about his being the father wouldn't do them any good. They'd been in close proximity for too long for there not to at least be a chance that he was the father, whether there were other candidates or not.

        As had been scheduled easily over a month ago, the couple and anyone else even remotely involved was called into the courtroom. Zak and Zoe both gave their mother quick, but tight hugs, promising that they'd be waiting upon her Return unless they were called in for some reason. Once they'd stepped back, she squared her shoulders as headed into said courtroom, her ex-husband strategically putting himself between herself and her ex-husband-to-be. But she couldn't deny that she was still nervous, no matter how this went down–and it wasn't just 'cuz of her pregnancy.

        "This divorce hearing is now in session," the Honorable Judge Jillian Stanton declared once all parties were settled. "May I ask that the petitioner identify themselves?"

        "That'd be me, Mrs. Dana Michelle Sanders," Mishy said, momentarily rising from her seat.

        "And now, the respondent?" she queried.

        "Me, Mr. David Eugene Sanders," the shorter man said as he mimicked her movements.

        "Now, as I understand it, this is a contested divorce?" The judge'd made a statement as much as asked a question, given her expression.

        "Yes, Your Honor," she answered with a single nod.

        "On what grounds, Mrs. Sanders?" Judge Stanton queried.

        "Originally, it was irreconcilable differences," the blonde answered. "But now, I Wish to add spousal abuseta my petition."

        "Is that so?" She looked more than a lil intrigued.

        "Ya lying–" Dave growled as he glared at her.

        "Sir, close your trap while you're still ahead," the judge snapped. "This is my courtroom, and you'll get your turn to speak your piece–otherwise, you'll be adorned with a nice, shiny pair of bracelets and escorted out."

        Rob bit back a snicker from where he sat off to the side, more Intent on listening than causing trouble for either directly-involved party. In fact, he was more interested in what his ex-wife'd to say as far as that alleged spousal abuse went than anything. She hadn't exactly said much about her marriage, and he certainly hadn't asked since he felt he'd no right, but he couldn't help his Curiosity now.

        Taking a deep breath, Mishy looked the judge square in the eye as she effectively rewound the last fifteen Years or so in her mind. When they'd first met, her second husband had seemed the polar opposite of the Silver Fox–Calm, polite, and well put-together were just a few adjectives that came to mind. She never woulda suspected that he was the kinda man he really was when they were merely dating, and later engaged. But he'd been quick to show his true Colors after their wedding, starting with the very Night of said event.