Filed to story: The Disguised Billionaire and His Accidental Wife Novel
“Hank, what did I tell you? Sonny is the Brown family‘s grandson. I told you to fight for Sonny‘s custody no matter what, but you actually gave up on it,” Mr. Brown pointed at Hank and condemned him.
“If Liberty knows you transferred away your assets, then so be it. If she wants you to split your assets with her, then so be it. But Sonny has to come back to us! Olivia said, “Hank, I don‘t agree with you divorcing Liberty anymore. This divorce is too costly. Don‘t divorce her anymore. Break it off with that Yates girl and live a good life with Liberty from now on. “Look, you‘ll have to lose more than a million if you go through with this, and I‘ll lose my grandson too. It‘s a lose–lose for us. You can‘t divorce her. You‘re not allowed to divorce her!”
Hank smiled bitterly. “Mom, Liberty and I have already fallen through to this point. Do you think we can still turn back? If we don‘t settle for divorce, she‘ll sue instead. Sonny is only two years old. Children his age are usually granted custody to the mothers. “She kept the evidence of Matthew beating Sonny up and having him sent to the hospital. We won‘t win if she files a lawsuit. It‘s better to part ways amicably. At least we can still nod and say hello to each other if our pathis cross in the future.” There was no need to become enemies.
“The fight was just kids being kids. Plus, it was an accident. We will take good care of Sonny and keep him from harm’s way when we get custody.”
Mrs. Brown heartachingly said, “Hank, don’t go with the divorce. I can’t take it.”
It never crossed her mind that fights between children could influence decisions on a child’s custody.
Despite Mrs. Brown’s old age, she had never seen anyone take their divorce to court. In the separations that she came across, the women would pack their things and walk out, leaving the house, car, and children to the men.
“Sure, it was just a fight between children, but people would see Sonny living with us as whether it’s conducive to his growth and well-being.” Hank patiently persuaded his parents. “Mom, I don’t love Liberty anymore. It’s not like Liberty would take me back either. You can’t make things work just by force. It would be hard for her and me at this rate. Besides, Liberty‘s willing to settle. The divorce is going to happen. “I’ve made up my mind, and I only came back to let you know.” Jessica was right. It was best if Hank made the decision for the matter between him and Liberty. It was good enough that he let his parents in the loops. With the sobs underway, Mrs. Brown smacked her husband. “Say something, old man! No, I must give Chelsea a call, and get her to talk some sense into you.” She was about to give her daughter a call when her husband stopped her. “Telling Chelsea will only make the matter worse.”
Mr. Brown peevishly remarked before asking his son, “Is divorce the only way? Are those pictures that big of a threat to you?”
He understood his son best. His son would not compromise and go with Liberty’s way unless he was under threat. “Dad, my career is done for if Liberty hands over the stuff to my boss. It doesn’t sound like a bad deal if I can end a loveless marriage and safeguard my future.” Mr. Brown fell silent.
Mrs. Brown lashed out. “Liberty went too far. What will she gain by destroying your future?
“She’s trying to get back at me since I didn‘t go easy on her. I lose out far worse than her because she has nothing to lose.”
Mrs. Brown cursed her heart out.
She went from criticizing Liberty for going overboard, childing her son for his failure to keep it in his pants, to blasting Jessica about being the other woman and coming in between her son’s marriage. Now her son and daughter–in–law were splitting and dividing the estate.
“Mom, it‘s not Jessica’s fault. I fell for her first.” Hank could not stand her mother speaking ill of Jessica. His feelings for Jessica grew before hers did for him.
“Mom, Dad, think about it. I wouldn‘t be enjoying this sort of income if I were to work in another company. Although I‘ll feel the pinch for giving Liberty a million bucks, I can regain the amount and more with my job still intact.
“Liberty will petition the court for divorce if I don’t agree to her demands. She’ll get whatever she demands anyway, but I‘ll lose my job and my reputation in the industry. It‘ll be hard for me to look for another job. I agreed to Liberty’s terms after careful consideration.
“Don’t worry about Sonny. Sonny will still be your grandson after the divorce. Just let Liberty know when you want to see him. She’s fine with visitations.” Mr. and Mrs. Brown held their tongues. Her son’s career was more important than anything else. They knew it had not been easy for their son as he had worked his way up from a measly office staff to his current role as a manager. The side income he earned in a month was the annual income of many. It took a while before Mr. Brown solemnly said, “There‘s nothing more we can say since you’ve already made up your mind.”
Mrs. Brown grabbed the divorce paperwork for another look, feeling the pain every time she read the line on the payout to Liberty. “I thought the estate was split evenly. The amount doesn’t seem right.” “Liberty‘s relinquishing her rights to the house and car, so I need to make it up to her monetarily. Altogether, that’s the total payout.” Mrs. Brown replied after a pause, “What about the renovation cost for the house?” Hank answered, “It’s not included. I’ve said it before. I won’t compensate her for that.” Although feeling a little better, Mrs. Brown said, “The renovation was tens of thousands of dollars. I guess we benefited a little since she didn’t ask you for the renovation cost.”
It did not hurt as bad anymore for the money they were losing.
“Hank, how did Liberty collect these photos?” Mr. Brown believed his daughter-in-law did not have such means. “Did someone help her?” “I asked her, but she wouldn’t say, nor did she know who helped her. The person’s pretty good at gathering information. To me, that’s a walking timebomb. Dad, I’m scared, so I gave in to her demands.” Having gotten the whole picture, Mrs. Brown uttered, “Could Serenity and her husband be behind this?”