Chapter 4 Finding a Lawyer
I had thought that when Anthony heard me ask for a divorce, he would eagerly agree.
After all, in the videos, his dislike for me was so obvious, and the only reason he was still willing to stay married was out of a sense of responsibility.
“Diane, you want a divorce?” Anthony tried to shout at me but managed to hold it in.
“Why, Diane? I know you’re upset because of the fire, but now that everything’s fine with you and the baby and you’re good with Bonnie, what’s the problem?
“And please, try to be reasonable. The fire started because our neighbor misused an electrical appliance, and that’s what caused the fire to spread to our place.
“Diane, sometimes you really need to mature. You can’t just blame me out of spite.”
Anthony looked at me with a hurt expression.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I opened my eyes and slapped him again, pushing him against the door of the hospital room.
“Anthony, open your eyes and look! Inside that room lies a child fighting for her life. It’s your daughter, and she’s so young, yet she’s suffered so much.
“But when my daughter and I were trapped in danger, where were you, Anthony?
“I’m asking you.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I suddenly remembered how, when I was pregnant, Anthony would gently place his ear on my belly. He’d said it was his first child, and when the baby was born, he promised he would be the best father.
But now, the daughter still in the ICU was the greatest irony to the promises he had once made.
“I’m sorry, Diane. But Barbara had a fever and needed me. I didn’t expect the fire to break out. If I had known what you were going through, I would have come back right away.”
Chapter 4 Finding a Lawyer
Anthony looked toward our daughter in the ICU, and a trace of guilt flickered in his eyes.
“The doctor said, Bonnie…”
Before Anthony could finish, I coldly interrupted him.
My gaze grew icy as I felt my disappointment in him become absolute.
“She’s not Bonnie, and she’s not your daughter.”
My once hollow and sorrowful eyes slowly turned steely with resolve.
Anthony looked up, his face a mix of disbelief and confusion. “Diane, don’t say things like that. Bonnie is obviously my daughter. I know you’re angry, but how can you joke about something like this?”
I sneered.
“Anthony, didn’t you say that only a child named Bonnie could be your daughter? But my daughter is Nina, so she’s not your daughter, and she’s definitely not some tool for you and Barbara to flirt with.”
Chapter 4 Finding a lawyer
“Diane, you’re going too far with your words.
“I’ve told you so many times, there’s nothing between me and Barbara.” Anthony still gave me that condemning look.
Looking at him like this, I felt completely disappointed.
“I’ve made up my mind. I want a divorce.
“I don’t care what happens between you and Barbara anymore.”
“Fine, Diane. If you’re going to be so heartless, don’t regret it later. Have you forgotten that you’re an orphan? Who gave you a family?” Anthony glared at me in anger.
Now that I had figured everything out. I turned around and looked at him indifferently.
“So what if I’m an orphan? A family? Is it the family where my so–called husband lives with another woman? Anthony, do you think I’m stupid?
“Honestly, I just don’t understand. Isn’t Barbara still
Chapter Inding a Lawyer
alive? Why are you using my daughter’s name to reminisce about her?”
The look in my eyes when I looked at Anthony was full of disgust.
Anthony had never treated me like this before. “Fine, divorce if that’s what you want. But don’t regret it, Diane.”
With that, he stormed off, never once glancing at Nina in the incubator.
The next day, thankfully, Nina’s doctor informed me that my daughter had passed the critical period and could be moved to a regular room.
I felt so relieved. As long as Nina was still alive, I felt like there was still hope in life.
At noon, I left Nina in the care of a close friend and went to the law firm on my own.
I needed a lawyer to discuss the divorce. In the three years I had been married to Anthony, I had paid for the house in full with my own money. Even the company he ran had been built with my connections
and my own effort, enduring stomach pain and drinking to help him network.
Now that I had decided to divorce Anthony, I was going to fight for custody of Nina and reclaim the assets that were rightfully mine.
After hearing my story, the divorce lawyer pressed her lips together. “Ms. Heath, as a woman, I sympathize with your situation, but the law doesn’t deal with emotions. It’s all about evidence, do you understand?
“You say your husband cheated, but you must have solid proof. Only then can we ensure the best outcome for your divorce.”
